GA-EMS Optical Communication Terminal (OCT) mounted on an aircraft. Photo: General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems

General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) and Kepler Communications have reported a successful air-to-space optical communications demonstration using Space Development Agency (SDA)-compliant optical terminals. 

The demonstration announced Tuesday took place between a GA-EMS optical communications terminal mounted to a Twin Otter aircraft and a Kepler satellite in Low-Earth Orbit (LEO), demonstrating exchanging data between a moving aircraft and a satellite in orbit. 

The demonstration test campaign took place from late July to late August and was done under SDA contract, a representative for General Atomics confirmed to Via Satellite. 

“This successful space-airborne communication demonstration represents a breakthrough improvement in building a resilient space architecture. Achieving multi-vendor interoperability validates SDA’s leadership in the optical communication arena,” said Gurpartap “GP” Sandhoo, SDA deputy director. 

Scott Forney, president of GA-EMS, said in a release that the optical communications terminal completed pointing, acquisition, tracking, and lock with satellite, and transferred data packets to validate uplink and downlink capability. The GA-EMS OCT was mounted on a Laser Airborne Communication turret (LAC-12) developed by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI). 

“This demonstration not just achieved the milestone for SDA-compatible communications across the air and space domains, but very importantly proved the robustness of the SDA standard for communications between OCT’s built by two different companies,” said Gregg Burgess, vice president of GA-EMS’ Space Systems division.

GA-EMS has also designed and built two OCT systems under a separate SDA contract that will fly on two General Atomics 75 kilogram-class spacecraft to support LEO airborne-to-space demonstrations for Tranche 1. The company said those spacecraft are set to launch in 2026.

Kepler previously demonstrated space-to-ground optical communications with its satellites earlier this year with a Cailabs optical ground station. 

This new demonstration “reinforces how commercial space operators will be partners in delivering secure, high-throughput connectivity for the defense community and the broader commercial sector,” Robert Conrad, president of Kepler US, said in a release.