Thales Alenia Space to Spearhead SOLISS Project for Optical Telecommunications
Table of Contents
- Thales Alenia Space to Spearhead SOLISS Project for Optical Telecommunications
- SOLISS: Securing future Communications with Optical technology
- Consortium and Technology Behind SOLISS
- Deployment and Collaboration with Hellas Sat
- The Future of Optical Telecommunications
- Evergreen Insights: The Evolution of Space-Based Optical Communication
- frequently Asked Questions About Optical Telecommunications
Cannes, France – Thales Alenia Space, a joint venture between Thales and Leonardo, has been selected by the French Large Companies Agency (DGE) and the French Space Agency (CNES) to develop a laser demonstrator for high-throughput telecommunications. This initiative, named SOLISS (Service Optique de Liaisons Spatiales Sécurisées), is part of the French government’s 2030 investment plan and aims to secure intercontinental networks [[Source: Thales Group]].
SOLISS: Securing future Communications with Optical technology
The SOLISS project seeks to demonstrate the technical and financial sustainability of an optical service for telecommunications reliant on geostationary satellites. This is particularly relevant in an era where terrestrial and submarine fiber optic connections face increasing threats of sabotage.
Did You Know? Optical communication in space offers faster and more secure data transmission compared to customary radio frequency methods.
Geostationary satellites provide an effective and economically viable solution for ultra-secure transfer of large data volumes between two points on Earth. These satellites ensure high transmission speeds, potentially reaching a terabit per second, irrespective of distance or atmospheric conditions.
Consortium and Technology Behind SOLISS
Thales Alenia Space will lead a consortium comprising large and medium-sized enterprises, SMEs, startups, and a research center. Key participants include Safran Data Systems, Bertin Technologies, Exail, Keopsys, Cedrat Technologies, Ogs Technologies, Reuniwatt, and Best. Many of these entities have previously collaborated on the CO-OP (Optical Telecommunications Project), supported by the French government and CNES, and the European Commission-funded Vertigo project.
The project involves developing an optical telecommunications payload and a pilot earth station designed to showcase high-speed laser communications. The European space Agency (ESA) is also exploring optical communication, with its Optical Communication Terminal relaying Earth observation data from low-Earth orbit (LEO) to geostationary orbit (GEO) via laser transmission [2].
Pro Tip: Optical communication systems require precise laser beam accuracy and can be affected by atmospheric interference, such as clouds [1].
Deployment and Collaboration with Hellas Sat
Under a memorandum of agreement signed in 2024, the SOLISS payload will be integrated into the hellas Sat 5 geostationary telecommunications satellite.The pilot earth station will be located at the Hellas Sat teleport in Cyprus. This station will communicate with the CNES FROGS station, already operational at the Observatory of the Costa Azzurra on the Mediterranean coast.
The Future of Optical Telecommunications
alcino de Sousa, Executive Vice President for Telecommunications at Thales Alenia Space, emphasized the significance of the project: “Laser communication projects via satellite as SOLISS are intended to inaugurate a new era in telecommunication services, promoting the development of multi-orbit communication networks.”
The SOLISS project aligns with the increasing demand for higher data volumes and rates, driven by new commercial needs and European directives.Optical communications are being proposed to meet the demands of internet satellites, with operators requiring a tenfold increase in capacity, leading to 1 Tbps [3].
What impact will this have on global communication security? How will this technology evolve in the next decade?
Evergreen Insights: The Evolution of Space-Based Optical Communication
Space-based optical communication represents a significant leap forward in data transmission technology. Unlike traditional radio frequency communication, optical communication utilizes lasers to transmit data, offering several key advantages. These include higher bandwidth, increased security, and reduced size, weight, and power (SWaP) requirements for equipment.
The development of optical communication systems for space applications has been ongoing for several decades, with early experiments demonstrating the feasibility of laser-based data links.As technology has advanced, optical communication systems have become more complex, enabling higher data rates and longer transmission distances. Today, these systems are being deployed in a variety of applications, including Earth observation, scientific research, and commercial telecommunications.
frequently Asked Questions About Optical Telecommunications
- What is the SOLISS project?
- SOLISS (Service Optique de Liaisons Spatiales Sécurisées) is a project led by Thales Alenia Space to demonstrate the technical and financial viability of an optical service for telecommunications using geostationary satellites.
- What are the benefits of using optical communication for data transfer?
- Optical communication offers several advantages, including higher data transmission speeds (up to a terabit per second), increased security, and resilience against sabotage of terrestrial and submarine fiber optic cables. NASA notes that optical communications can be faster, more secure, lighter and more flexible [1].
- which companies are involved in the SOLISS project?
- the SOLISS project is a consortium led by Thales Alenia Space and includes Safran Data Systems, Bertin Technologies, Exail, Keopsys, Cedrat technologies, Ogs Technologies, Reuniwatt, and the Best research center.
- What satellite will host the SOLISS payload?
- The SOLISS payload will be transported to the Hellas Sat 5 geostationary telecommunications satellite,following an agreement between Thales Alenia Space and Hellas Sat.
- Where will the pilot earth station for SOLISS be located?
- The pilot earth station will be positioned at the Hellas Sat teleport in Cyprus and will communicate with the CNES FROGS station at the observatory of the Costa Azzurra in France.
- How does SOLISS relate to previous optical telecommunications projects?
- SOLISS builds upon technologies developed in the Optical Telecommunications project (CO-OP), supported by the French government and led by CNES, and the vertigo project, financed by the European Commission.
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