Laser Communication for Future LEO Constellations

Vialight develops Laser Communication Terminals for future low Earth orbiting (LEO) constellations and Earth observation missions requiring the transmission of large data volumes at rates of up to 10 Gbps over thousands of kilometers.

Leader in laser communication systems for stratospheric platforms and ground stations – chosen supplier for large international commercial customers
Vialight’s product evolution: aviation > stratosphere > space (inter-satellite, satellite-to-ground)
Serial production keeps costs low while ensuring the highest quality product
Solutions for: telecommunications, navigation and Earth observation data, ISR applications, Internet of Things, Big Data
Fully operational space system on the ISS in 2 years

ViaLight GmbH
Dr Markus Knapek
info@vialight.de

17. May 20167. March 2023

Multifunctional lightweight structures for satellites

Conventional satellite design separately considers functional, structural and protective requirements. Subsystems are not integrated into the primary structure, but applied at a later production stage.

Project aim: disruptive innovation in satellite design
Integration of functions into load-carrying structural parts (communication, thermal management, vibration control, diagnosis)
Concurrent optimisation of structural and functional properties with respect to mass and production processes
Validation by a demonstrator

Fraunhofer Institute for Structural Durability and System Reliability LBF
Dr Dirk Mayer
dirk.mayer@lbf.fraunholer.de

RWfH Aachen University
Dr Athanasios Dafnis
dafnis@sla.rwth-aachen.de

16. May 201618. July 2019

OCULUS – Optical Coatings for Ultra Lightweight Robust Spacecraft Structures

Low weight as well as high durability and accuracy for mirrors of space telescopes? New material solutions have great potential to make it happen! The objective is to combine innovative production processes of carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) structures and reflective coatings. By this means, lightweight optical mirrors can be developed for aerospace applications (e.g. remote sensing and astronomy) that exhibit versatile advantages over conventional mirrors:

Thermal stability (no cooling necessary)
80% to 90% weight reduction
Modularisation in production (large quantities using one tool)
Smart coatings enable multifunctional surfaces
Process transferable to mechanical engineering industry

Prof Enrico Stoll
e.stoll@tu-bs.de

INVENT GmbH
Stefan Linke
stefan.linke@invent-gmbh.de

Fraunhofer IST
Dr. Andreas Dietz
andreas.dietz@ist.fraunhofer.de

7. May 201618. July 2019

Skith: Skip the Harness (Harnessless Satellite)

The harness for satellites has been necessary so far but also costly, heavy and a major risk factor. Skith aims to create the first wireless satellite, by using short range, high speed real time miniature radio communication links.
By combining modular and fault-tolerant software with ultra-wideband technology from industry 4.0, a robust and adaptable system will be created.

Skith is aiming at:

Reducing the costs of integration and launches of satellites
Increasing the dependability of machines, especially of satellites and aircrafts
Increasing the Flexibility of control systems
Making the board computer independent from input/output (10) devices

lnformatics 8 – Aerospace Information Technology

Prof Sergio Montenegro
montenegro@informatik.uni-wuerzburg.de

Tobias Mikschl
tobias.mikschl@uni-wuerzburg.de

3. May 20167. March 2023