Northumbria University and Lockheed Martin to launch first commercial system for laser satellites

A £5m award from the UK Space Agency will allow Northumbria University to take forward world-leading research to build a new satellite communications system, setting the scene for Northumbria to launch the UK’s first university-led multi-satellite space mission.

The funding announcement made today allow the University to move forward with its prototype work on this new laser-based system, which has the potential to transform the satellite communications industry.

Researchers from Northumbria’s Solar and Space Physics research group have been leading a consortium whose goal is to develop the world’s first commercially available system that allows satellites to communicate with each other via lasers rather than radio frequencies.

The UK Space Agency had already awarded over £1m to Northumbria to fund the earlier phases of this inter-satellite communications research through its National Space Innovation Programme. It was one of 22 projects initially chosen to receive funding in 2020, with further funding granted in 2021 after showing highly promising potential. It is now one of only two projects selected for this third and final phase of funding.

The UK Space Agency’s £4.98m award will allow the consortium to design, test and build the first CubeSat with laser optical communications technology. Through the University’s Northumbria Space Technology Laboratory, experts have been working in partnership with Durham University, satellite communications specialists e2E, and manufacturing company SMS Electronics Limited to create this new system.

The consortium recently expanded to include global aerospace company Lockheed Martin, which joined forces with Northumbria University last year. Lockheed Martin will be leading the system’s engineering development.

Professor Eamon Scullion, a solar physicist at Northumbria University is leading the project. He said: “We are absolutely thrilled to be one of the two final projects chosen by the UK Space Agency for funding after a highly competitive process over the last three years.”

Professor Robert Wicks, head of Northumbria Space Technology Laboratory at Northumbria University, and CubeSat development lead on the project, added: “We are very excited to be designing, building and testing our very own CubeSat mission here in the Northumbria Space Technology Laboratory. It is a great way to get our Electronic Engineering and Physics students involved in cutting-edge research.”

Tony Forsyth, head of space technology at the UK Space Agency, said: “This funding will support Northumbria University to develop its innovative technology that will enhance inter-satellite communications systems by using efficient optical lasers, in comparison to the traditional devices.

“The UK Space Agency’s National Space Innovation Programme prioritises funding for innovative technologies that will enhance UK space capabilities and help the sector, already worth £16.5bn to the UK economy, continue to grow.”

Nik Smith, Lockheed Martin’s regional director for UK and Europe, said “Lockheed Martin is thrilled to join this Laser Comms programme with Northumbria University and its partners to support the satellite communications system’s development. Northumbria has some of the best and brightest talent for space and will be instrumental to the future of UK’s space sector.”

By Mark Adair – Correspondent, Bdaily

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