Photo by Donald Giannatti on Unsplash
Amazon Pushes Limits With Laser Link Tech in Kuiper Satellites
December 15, 2023
Amazon recently declared a game-changing move in the satellite communication landscape — the incorporation of advanced speed-enhancement technology in its upcoming Project Kuiper internet satellites. Proven to be effective in the recent Protoflight mission, this technology involves the use of laser links, a departure from the traditional communication method where satellites solely transmit data to the ground. These laser links enable satellites to connect with each other, generating a mesh network in space.
The key aspect of this technology, optical inter-satellite links (OISLs), represents a novel approach to data transmission in space. These laser links are not entirely a novel concept, as they were previously introduced by Elon Musk’s SpaceX in its later generations of Starlink satellites. However, they have brought significant improvements in the speed and latency of these networks. Rajeev Badyal, the vice president of technology at Amazon’s Project Kuiper, highlighted the potential of this unique technology, describing Project Kuiper as a mesh network operating efficiently in space with the help of OISLs.
According to Amazon, its pair of Kuiper prototype satellites have executed several successful laser link demonstrations. During these tests, an impressive data transfer speed of 100 Gbps was maintained over a distance of approximately 621 miles between the spacecraft. Additionally, data transmission through Kuiper’s orbital laser mesh network will be about 30% faster than via terrestrial fiber optic cables. This is due to light traveling faster in space than through glass.
Amazon intends to incorporate these laser links in its forthcoming commercial Kuiper satellites from the get-go. The company’s futuristic network plan includes a total of 3,236 satellites positioned in low Earth orbit. So far, 97 rocket launches have been ordered by Amazon, with the first batch of satellites set to be deployed in the first half of the coming year.
The mammoth internet project, Kuiper, is expected to require an investment of more than $10 billion from Amazon, reflecting the company’s determination to revolutionize satellite-based internet service.
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