First Tests of French Keraunos Optical Communications Satellite Completed

The French Ministry of the Armed Forces has completed the first test of a laser communication link between a nano-satellite in low orbit and an optical ground station.

The Keraunos experiment, a collaboration between the Defense Innovation Agency (AID) of the French Armament Agency (DGA), Unseenlabs, and Cailabs, achieved a stable laser link over several minutes during the summer of 2024.

The project, initiated in late 2023, is aimed at testing high-speed communications via photonic technology from Cailabs. The AID funded the project with €5.5 million, emphasizing the importance of space laser communication technology for defense. The system was able to track and maintain the laser link as the nano-satellite moved in low Earth orbit, overcoming potential disruptions caused by atmospheric turbulence.

Laser communication offers key advantages over traditional radio-based systems, including enhanced data throughput, increased discretion, and independence from radio spectrum coordination regulations. The completion of the Keraunos experiment showcases the potential of optical communications for use in a variety of defense applications, including land, naval, and air platforms.

Keraunos leverages the strengths of Unseenlabs and Cailabs. Cailabs' photonic expertise enabled the creation of a ground receiver, while Unseenlabs' agile satellite architecture allowed for the rapid integration of the laser payload.

This experiment aligns with France's 2024-2030 military programming law, which seeks to enhance the country’s capabilities in space-based technologies.