Skyloom’s OCT (photo by Skyloom)

Space-based telecommunications company Skyloom will provide its Optical Communications Terminal (OCT) to Earth observation firm Satellogic under a new contract announced on Friday. Satellogic will integrate Skyloom’s OCT into its satellites and use the terminals to test new methods of EO data delivery through both the SkyCompass-1 geostationary-based (GEO) lasercom network infrastructure Skyloom developed with its partner, Space Compass, and direct downlink to a gateway.

As a first step in its commissioning, the Satellogic spacecraft will conduct a low earth orbit (LEO)-to-ground link by handshaking with Skyloom’s optical ground station in Broomfield, Colorado.

Together with Space Compass, Skyloom recently conducted the Critical Design Review for the SkyCompass-1 optical communications network infrastructure, including space, ground, user, and network segments, which will begin providing network services in 2025.