Artist’s view of ODYSSEUS’ end-to-end Laser Communications solution. Credits: ODYSSEUS Space
Leaf Space, provider of ground segment as-a-service (GSaaS) solutions, is partnering with Odysseus Space, a company developing end-to-end laser communications systems for satellite missions, to develop a hybrid ground station network optimized for optical and RF communications.
The two companies will work together to apply Odysseus Space’s CYCLOPS technology to further support Leaf Space’s global Leaf Line network, offering satellite operators additional flexibility in how they communicate with their satellites and constellations, as well as vital backup communication options.
“The market is showing a growing desire for optical communications options as they offer tremendous benefits for satellite operators like higher data rates and in space communications for larger constellations, but it’s still important for operators to have RF options. Particularly when optical solutions are prevented by things like weather or aren’t required for certain use cases or operational modes,” said Giovanni Pandolfi Bortoletto, co-founder and chief strategy officer of Leaf Space. “By partnering with Odysseus Space on this initiative, we are working towards building the first true optical-RF hybrid ground station network that will offer our customers the highest level of flexibility and reliability on the market.”
Leaf Space’s existing SaaS-enabled Leaf Line technology allows for easy integration of additional communication technologies, like Odysseus Space’s optical solutions. Creating this first of its kind hybrid network will further decrease latency for communication between in-space assets to Earth through optical Direct-to-Earth links enabled by Odysseus solutions.
“We are thrilled to be partnering with Leaf Space to develop these new hybrid Ground Stations that will further expand our abilities to provide customers with the most capable end-to-end solutions to support their missions in space,” said Jordan Vannitsen, co-founder and chief executive officer of Odysseus Space. “With increasing needs for higher data rate and concerns regarding the RF spectrum congestion, the demand for optical communications is continuing to grow and as we see constellations increase in lockstep, we know that the trend is going to continue. Combining our two market-leading technologies is an asset to customers and we look forward to working with the Leaf Space team.”
Leaf Space and Odysseus Space intend to complete the first hybrid enabled Ground Station by early 2024. This project is supported by the European Space Agency (ESA) and funded by the Luxembourg Space Agency (LSA), which awarded Odysseus Space with a contract to support the further development of optical communication infrastructure.