ESA links with Japan for speedy and secure communications

People will communicate up to a thousand times faster using high-capacity optical links between satellites, thanks to a partnership agreed today between the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Space Compass Corporation in Japan.

The two partners have announced plans to explore linking two optical communication networks that send light signals between satellites in orbit around Earth. Connecting the networks will pave the way for much faster data-intense transmission and more secure and reliable networks, boosting everything from internet access to space exploration.

The agreement involves linking two optical communication networks: ESA’s High Throughput Optical Network (HydRON) demonstration system and Japan’s LAIDEN network. HydRON aims to demonstrate the world’s first optical multi-orbit transport network in space, delivering internet speeds of terabits per second – thousands of times faster than many of today’s conventional connections. It will help to bridge digital divides and enable new possibilities in global communications.

Meanwhile the LAIDEN project overseen by Japan’s New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organisation foresees launching a commercial satellite into a geostationary orbit and offering optical data relay services as part of this in-orbit demonstration.

The partnership will create a network that connects different orbital layers – including geostationary orbit, medium Earth orbit and low Earth orbit satellites – as well as ground stations. This comprehensive approach aims to build more resilient communication networks that could better serve both space and Earth-based applications.

The collaboration will progress through three key phases, starting with technical feasibility assessment, moving through the development of joint test protocols, and culminating in full system validation. This methodical approach ensures that the resulting network meets the highest standards of reliability and performance.