The International Space Station acquired a 100 Mbit laser channel

Google

The international space station blueprints.

The project to establish satellite systems for high-speed communications between space and ground stations, initiated four years ago, is in the field test phase. The equipment previously delivered to the International Space Station made it possible to establish a 100 Mbit/s downhill laser link with the ground station. Sony developed the technology and hardware.

View of the Earth from the Laser Link Unit of the Japanese Kibo module.

Most interestingly, the communications equipment developed by Sony, together with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and the National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT), relies on the technology of laser data recording on optical disks. Sony has a great deal of experience in this area. By adapting the data-coding mechanisms for disk recording to optical (laser) transmission, the company was able to assist in the development of the bases for laser space communications.

The ISS delivered communications equipment last September. It was then mounted on an open Japanese Kibo module. Tests and adjustments were made approximately once a week when the weather permitted. The SOLISS Low Frequency Laser Channel (a small optical link for The International Space Station) was first installed on October 25, 2019. The first two-way communication line using 1.5 m laser was installed with the ground station on March 5. The first HD images aboard the ISS using the laser Ethernet channel were received on March 11.

For communication with the Earth, the International Space Station acquired a 100-Mbit laser channel.

The series of experiments with laser communication equipment will last until June 2020. It is anticipated that SOLISS communications will provide the real-time transmission of large amounts of data, both between space stations, which will be required in future lunar and Martian missions, and between spacecraft and ground stations.