Laser Communications

Ball Aerospace has 30 years of experience developing solutions for free-space laser communications. Our laser communications activities bridge all optical segments of the Transformational Communications Architecture (TCA)......Ball Aerospace has 30 years of experience developing solutions for free-space laser communications. Our laser communications activities bridge all optical segments of the Transformational Communications Architecture (TCA). As information collection systems become more sophisticated, the corresponding need for increased bandwidth places a heavy burden on the communications links that carry mission data to decision-makers and warfighters. Free space optical communication systems support such needs and offer space-based and airborne users the same high-bandwidth benefit that optical fiber-based systems currently provide for terrestrial applications. With 30 years of experience in laser communications development, Ball Aerospace has significantly advanced the state-of-the-art for Earth- and space-based laser communications solutions that support military, scientific, and commercial markets. These solutions utilize proven technologies and capabilities developed through our 50-year history of providing instrumentation for Earth and space-based applications. Ball Aerospace is currently developing a family of laser communication terminals to meet the needs of the Transformational Communications Architecture (TCA), including Geosynchronous Earth Orbit (GEO), Low Earth Orbit (LEO), and airborne applications:GEO terminal: Developed for high data-rate GEO-backbone or GEO-user applications LEO terminal: Developed for high data-rate LEO- or shorter range GEO-user applications Airborne terminal: Developed for high data-rate airborne applications up to and including relay to GEO satellites This product line is adaptable to a wide range of Department of Defense, NASA, and commercial applications. Our array of solutions supports Ball Aerospace’s role as a merchant supplier of high performance laser communication terminals to agencies of the U.S. government and major prime contractors. Ball Aerospace has been named as one of only two credible space lasercom providers in the USA (Defense Industrial Base Capabilities Study: Command & Control, June 2004; ADA 431914)