Airbus has successfully transmitted data between satellites using a laser beam

Laser data transmission is growing rapidly. This is evidenced by recent tests conducted by Airbus and the European space Agency, data transfer between satellites using a laser beam.

As the resource satellitetoday, during the test took place data transmission between low-orbit satellites Sentinel 1A and Alphasat satellites in the geostationary orbit.

It should be noted that the rate of information transfer reached 0.6 gigabits per second, and the distance between the satellites was equal to 45 000 kilometers. However, this speed is not maximal and can be increased up to 1.8 gigabits per second.

The purpose of introducing laser technology was the fact that Leo satellites are only associated with multiple databases on Earth. They must be in a field of view that is not always the case, and the satellites have to wait in the wings for data transmission.

The use of lasers will allow to reach low earth orbit with geostationary satellites, which can significantly faster to transfer data to the Ground. This can be important when it is necessary to transmit information, for example, about the approaching disaster.

In the future the developers plan to increase the maximum possible speed from 1.8 to 7.2 gigabits per second.

Source: hi-news.ru