A microsatellite in Norway has made a major breakthrough in space communications by establishing its first satellite-to-Earth optical communication link.
Developed by the Norwegian Space Agency's (NSA) Space Flying Laboratory (SFL), the Norsat-TD microsatellite marks a major milestone for the designers and operators of the satellite, putting them in a unique club where organizations have accomplished similar feats.
Optical communications use laser technology that can transmit larger data sets faster and with greater security than traditional RF communications. The technology is particularly important for low Earth orbit (LEO) applications such as Earth observation, telecommunications, atmospheric monitoring, maritime ship tracking, and space astronomy, where reliable data transmission is critical.
The successful demonstration of satellite-to-Earth communications by the 35-kilogram NORSAT-TD microsatellite greatly expands the utility of affordable small satellites that are more cost-effective in developing, launching and operating than conventional spacecraft," said Robert E., Director of SFLDr. Zee emphatically explained.
The NORSAT Technology Demonstrator (NORSAT-TD) is designed to demonstrate new technologies for the NSA and the European Space Agency (ESA). It was developed by the Space Flying Laboratory (SFL) at the University of Toronto's Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (UTIAS) in collaboration with the Norwegian Space Agency (NOSA).
ESA explained that the main task of the microsatellite will be to test and validate new payloads and concepts from Norway, the Netherlands, France and Italy. It was launched into low-Earth orbit in April last year and has an expected expiration date of around April 2027.
The NORSAT-TD microsatellite utilizes two key optical communication technologies. The first technology is precise attitude control, which is a challenging task for low-mass spacecraft. This control mechanism helps the microsatellite to be accurately and continuously aligned with the ground station in a fast orbit. The combination of NORSAT-TD with innovative small satellite stability and pointing capabilities is a testament to the expertise that the SFL has honed over dozens of missions.
The second important component is the airborne Small Form Communication Active Terminal (SMALLCAT) laser communication system. The system was developed by a consortium led by TNO (Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research). It includes a high-quality laser terminal and a fine steering mirror, which is necessary to precisely lock the narrow beam onto the ground station beacon.
The pointing performance quality of SFL's Defiant bus speaks for itself. NOSA is also pleased with the flexibility and problem-solving that SFL has demonstrated when accommodating SmallCAT terminals in the NORSAT-TD design and using TNO for payload evolution," explains Tyler Jones, Senior Consultant at NOSA.
According to Space**, the Norsat-TD is the sixth mission developed by the SFL for Norway and launched in April 2023. The main purpose of this microsatellite is to track ships at sea. However, in addition to the SmallCAT terminal, it carries experimental payloads for enhanced GPS positioning, laser-tracking spacecraft, and iodine-fueled propulsion. SFL plans to launch NORSAT-4 in 2024, equipped with a new low-light imaging sensor, to further advance satellite technology.
This successful demonstration of NORSAT-TD represents a significant advance in microsatellite capabilities and opens the door to more efficient and secure methods of satellite communications. This is critical for the ever-expanding range of space-based applications.