Project description
The race between the internet and space
The growth and spread of connected devices and the Internet of things (IoT) hinge on the further development of internet-related technologies. Optical internet will play an important role in the future of IoT and is well situated with the sharp rise of interest in the space industry. What’s more, the costs in these areas are already declining. This could bring internet access to the roughly 3 billion people who don’t have it. It could also allow for the rise of many start-ups in this sector. Unfortunately, atmospheric turbulence prevents proper optical uplinks to satellites, slowing any progress made. The EU-funded OpticalSpaceLink project will develop a solution using concepts derived from astronomical applications.
Objective
The “OptialSpaceLink” mission of TOPTICA PROJECTS (PRO) is to position itself as a critical enabler for the next generation optical internet. Recently, the space industry has seen a dramatic transition from an industry almost exclusively addressed by governments and large corporations towards a fast moving industry driven by many start-ups, new ideas for business and applications and new horizons in thinking. The so-called NewSpace age is rising. Falling launch costs and strong investments in start-ups have resulted in steadily increasing optimism about future commercial use of space. Next generation Internet-via-Satellites is one of the reasons for this optimism and is going to happen within the next three to five years. This new kind of internet network has the potential to connect the more than three billion of people still unconnected on earth. It critically depends on fastest data backbone links from ground to satellite and vice versa, that can only be implemented with optical connections. Today, atmospheric turbulence prevents a proper optical uplink to the satellite. PRO’s OpticalSpaceLink addresses this technology gap with concepts derived from astronomical applications where PRO’s product defines today the state of the art. With a breakthrough solution, leveraging our core technology, OpticalSpaceLink changes the game of the worldwide optical space internet. Only OpticalSpaceLink will enable future space-based optical Internet. In addition, with this product PRO will open up a plurality of other space applications outside telecommunication. By its contribution to “connecting the unconnected”, this project brings multiple benefits to EU citizens, generates high-tech jobs and enables the channel for a fast growing new European industry. It will strengthen Europe’s position in the New Space-revolution and prevent it from being left behind in the next gold rush in space (Europe behind the NewSpace-revolution; Dr Tom Enders, CEO AIRBUS, Bremen, October 2018).
Fields of science
Not validated
Not validated
- natural sciencescomputer and information sciencesinternet
- engineering and technologymechanical engineeringvehicle engineeringaerospace engineeringsatellite technology
- natural sciencesphysical sciencesopticslaser physics
- natural sciencesearth and related environmental sciencesatmospheric sciencesmeteorologyatmospheric circulationatmospheric turbulence
Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
SME-2 - SME instrument phase 2Coordinator
82166 MUNCHEN
Germany
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.