Kepler Communications is now offering service from the next-generation optical data relay network constellation to global commercial and government customers, the operator announced Monday.
With service now active following SpaceX’s successful launch of the Kepler constellation this past January, Kepler can now provide its customers with Earth Observation, space domain awareness, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), defense, and other real-time capabilities. The Kepler constellation is designed with IP-based architecture with optical inter-satellite links that enable hosted payload customers to deploy sensors and applications with integrated connectivity and onboard computing.
“Reaching commercial operations at scale is a defining milestone for Kepler,” the company’s co-founder and CEO Mina Mitry, said in the announcement. “Over the past several years, we’ve demonstrated what’s possible with optical networking in space. Today, we’re delivering on real-time mission needs while laying the foundation for the next generation of space operations.”
Kepler hopes to expand its global optical data relay network starting in 2028, with its next tranche of spacecraft scheduled across multiple launches, including a dedicated launch with Rocket Lab.
“The expanded constellation will increase network capacity, resilience, and performance, with advanced optical terminals supporting data rates up to 100 Gbps and future missions including the European Space Agency’s HydRON program,” the company said in its announcement.
