Space Photonics: Disruptive Satellite Laser Communications and Astrophotonics
Photonics is expected to play a key role in space applications as optics and fiber-optics penetrate into satellite payloads and photonic components and subsystems become integral functional parts of telecommunication, on-board signal distribution, and/or remote sensing instrumentation. The FCC has received more than 15 applications for constellations with several confirmed inter-satellite link designs relying on laser communications.