Page 6 - Spec Tech Vol 1 Issue 08
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How Astrogate is building high-tech
optical satellite communication tech.
Image Credit: Astrogate Labs
Astrogate Labs is a Bengaluru-based space been working on building the core
tech startup working on an optical laser technology required to make this possible.
based satellite communication technology “We have already developed the space-to-
that promises many advantages over ground solution, we have built the satellite
traditional radio frequency transmission. communication hardware, and we have
Optical transmission can potentially offer already qualified it. Now, we are looking at
higher bandwidth connections with lower getting flight heritage for the technology,”
data rates, while eliminating the need for added Singh. Flight heritage refers to when
high spectrum licensing costs. “Modern technology is tested in a commercially
satellites can generate over 100GB of data representative environment. Singh says
every day. If you use radio frequency Astrogate plans to have their technology in
transmission to download that data, you orbit by the end of 2024. Astrogate’s
would hardly transfer 20 to 25 per cent of technology can also potentially be used for
the data in a day. With our optical communication between different satellites
transmission technology, you will get more that are part of the same “constellation.”
than 20 times that bandwidth,” Nitish Singh, Currently, the company is building a
cofounder and CEO of Astrogate Labs clientele that mainly includes organisations
to indianexpress.com said in a video that want to launch Earth observation or
interaction. Higher data bandwidth is just experimental satellites for research. Any
one of the advantages of laser-based optical organisation wanting to integrate
transmission technology. According to Astrogate’s technology can buy the optical
Singh, a five-metre wide parabolic radio dish terminal and integrate it into their satellite,
antenna can be replaced with a and then later subscribe to a ground
telescope-like ground receiver with an communication plan to use the company’s
aperture between 30 and 40 centimetres receivers. The company is also looking for
when making the switch to optical satellite applications of this technology outside of
communication. The European Space satellites and space purposes, and has
Agency’s European Data Relay Satellite already demonstrated its use in “ship-to-
System (ERDS) already uses this ship” communications.
technology. Founded in 2017, Astrogate has
Space Explorer 2022 6
