BridgeSat, Surrey Partner on Laser Satellite Communications System

BridgeSat and Surrey Satellite Technology US jointly will work on developing a laser-based satellite communications system with secure data downlinks to a ground network at speeds faster than RF spectrum, the companies said in a news release Tuesday. They said Surrey will build the flight laser terminal units that will communicate with BridgeSat’s global ground network, with the aim of data transmissions of up to 10 Gbps per link. The Surrey terminals will be equipped with standardized interfaces, letting them be used with either Surrey satellites or as flight units for other satellite operators, they said. They said the laser communications system is expected to be operational "within the next couple of years."