Laser capabilities expand into space and defence communications

While both infrared and radio signals travel at the speed of light, infrared operates at a much higher frequency, allowing significantly more data to be transmitted in a single link. This means that more data can be shared and accessed by ground crews.

Laser communication payloads are typically smaller, lighter and require less power than radio, an important feature when considering the fact that modern-day spacecraft and defensive weapons have the ability to generate much larger volumes of data than ever before.

Use in defence

While growing in research, adoption and development in the defence industry, the use of laser communications technology as multi-domain, contemporary military operations require stronger lines of data and communication transmissions.

Due to the fact that laser communications is essentially immune to electromagnetic interference, this positions the tech as a valuable tool in contemporary warfare scenarios. Their physical security from jamming means that militaries can conduct important communications without the fear of enemy interference.

Founder and chief innovation officer at Electro Optic Systems, Ben Greene, predicts that this will make the technology a critical tool in modern militaries.

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“Most military communications worldwide will be optical within the next decade, and that will be laser-based,” he said.

“Countermeasures for jamming and interference will also rely on lasers.”

Also used in reconnaissance, laser communications offer long-range, high-speed data transmission back to the command centre in real time, supporting faster, more responsive military decision making.

Satellite communication

Perhaps most important of all is the use of laser and optical communications in relation to satellites.

As well as cyber, the space domain is emerging as an increasingly strategic and relevant sector of militaries, alongside typical air, naval and land defences.

Space-based capabilities that support military work back on Earth have been growing in terms of their usage and proven success.

Using satellites and laser technology, this enables militaries to monitor threats from long range, increase secure communications, and provide intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR).

Ukraine has reportedly been using space-based sensors and systems to monitor Russia’s continued assault on the nation, with researchers saying this has been an important tool in tracking and planning efforts against Russia.

“Ukraine-based Earth observation and ISR capabilities often seem to override Russian attempts to control the information environment by revealing the truth on the ground,” Space Policy analyst Theodora Ogden said.

Australia’s Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG) has researched and continues to develop critical satellite communications methods for the Australian Defence Force, such as project JP 2008 which aims to establish a sovereign, high-capacity satellite communications capability.

The DSTG has already delivered the Cortex satellite spectrum monitoring system which was initially deployed in 2013 for Exercise Talisman Sabre.

Use in space exploration

Australia recently provided laser communications capabilities for the Artemis II lunar missions, a representation of the national success in this technology.

Partnering with NASA, the Australian National University (ANU) provided the Artemis II crew with the essential laser communication technology needed to transmit mass amounts of data, information and imagery to ground crews.

ANU’s involvement, which was backed by over $4 million in funding from the Australian government and Australian Space Agency’s Moon to Mars Demonstrator Mission Grant, saw its Quantum Optical Ground Station (QOGS) track, receive and transmit communications from Orion.

The QOGS is a laser communications network that uses adaptive optics and quantum technology to link mission crews to ground controls.

Researchers based at Mount Stromlo in Canberra were able to use the QOGS to communicate with the Artemis II crew via laser communications instead of traditional radio signals, allowing for 100 times faster data transmission.

This technology allowed the astronauts on board to share critical scientific information and never-before-seen imagery of Earth from the furthest distance back to ground controls.

The QOGS achieved over 15 hours of connection time throughout the mission, with the laser communications recording live internal and external camera views, and 4K video streams that were sent to NASA’s Mission Control Center in Houston. These images and videos were included in some of the publicly distributed media from the mission.

Final thoughts

As future space and defence operations demand greater data generation for more advanced missions, such as the push for Mars and changing military environments, Australia’s role in optical communication is likely to expand, cementing its place as a critical global partner and ally.