Two SpaceX satellites successfully exchanged data using optical communication terminals, marking a significant event for the US Space Development Agency (SDA), agency director Derek Turner said on September 4.

The satellites, part of the SDA Tranche 0 experimental spacecraft in low Earth orbit, used Tesat-Spacecom laser terminals for communication. This is the first time the agency has demonstrated laser communication in space using optical terminals that meet military standards required for SDA satellites.

“We have not demonstrated laser communication before,” Turner said at the conference. Defense NewsThe data exchange took place on September 3, with the satellites establishing a connection in less than 100 seconds and maintaining it for several hours, he said.

Two out of four satellites participated in the successful test SpaceXIt is equipped with Leidos infrared sensors and Tesat terminals. Tesat-Spacecom, the German subsidiary of Airbus Defence and Space, has expanded its presence in the US to support SDA’s growing demand for optical communications technology.

The demonstration dispelled doubts about the ability of SDA satellites to form an optical network in low Earth orbit. It follows a 2021 test conducted jointly by the Air Force Research Laboratory and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency that used different optical terminals that did not meet the current standard required by SDA, making the latest test even more significant.

A very important step for SDA mesh network

The laser communications test is a key step in the SDA Proliferating Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA) program, which aims to create a network of hundreds of small satellites to enhance military communications and surveillance capabilities.

Tournear also said that all four satellites SpaceX They have successfully detected rocket launches with their infrared sensors, including the SpaceX Starship re-entry in June.

In addition to the laser communications breakthrough, Tournear also highlighted the demonstration of space access to the Link 16 network using satellites built by York Space in late 2023. This test involved transmitting tactical messages from orbit to ground receivers, highlighting the potential for improving military communications via space platforms. Tranche 0 deployments included satellites from SpaceX, Lockheed Martin, York Space and L3Harris.