Kepler Communications, a pioneer in optical data relay technology, announced that it has successfully demonstrated space-to-ground optical data relay with French optical ground station company, Cailabs, paving the way for the future of in-space optical technology.

Kepler has demonstrated full Space Development Agency (SDA) standard data rates and acquisition in multiple space-to-ground scenarios between Kepler’s optical Pathfinder satellite equipped with TESAT’s SCOT80 in low Earth orbit (LEO) and Cailabs’ Optical Ground Station (OGS) in Rennes, France.

“Optical data relay is no longer a theoretical concept. It is tested, proven, and operational in many acquisition scenarios,” said Mina Mitry, chief executive officer and co-founder of Kepler Communications. “This is a critical milestone in creating resilient on-orbit optical infrastructure, proving our ability to leverage the power of light to improve the future of space communications.”

Successful demonstration of space-to-ground station optical links is a first step to validating other space-to-ground scenarios, including communications with airborne assets. Space-to-ground optical data transmissions are notoriously challenging to achieve, with increased velocities and atmospheric effects imposing pointing, acquisition, and data transfer challenges. The milestone also substantiates the ability to transmit cross-plane space-to-space optical links, a key objective of The Kepler Network, where optical terminals can perform data relay across different orbits.

“Cailabs was very glad to support Kepler on this important validation effort and to collaborate closely with their team. Testing our optical ground station which mitigates atmospheric turbulence with multiple terminals and satellites, is key to guaranteeing full operability across diverse scenarios. In that context, we’re proud to be part of this successful SDA-compatible space-to-ground link announcement,” said Jeff Huggins, President of Cailabs US.

Kepler is committed to proving and maturing optical technology in a range of operational scenarios by collaborating with industry partners to provide customers with secure, low-latency solutions for mission-critical data.

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