A company in Russia, developing its version of Elon Musk's Starlink, has announced the successful completion of its initial round of tests utilizing a laser inter-satellite link designed in-house.
Testing Milestones Achieved
Bureau 1440, a dedicated project office focusing on research for utilizing low-earth orbit satellite systems for high-speed data transmission, shared this significant update via a Telegram post earlier this week. The tests involved the transfer of over 200 gigabytes of data at a rate of 10 gigabits per second between satellites positioned over 30 kilometers apart.
First Successful Domestic Laser Communication in Space
The company highlighted that these tests marked its first successful venture into domestic laser inter-satellite communication in space. This achievement not only validated the performance but also showcased the immense potential of its proprietary technology. Looking ahead, Bureau 1440 is gearing up for a series of additional tests, spanning distances of hundreds of kilometers between satellites.
Competition with SpaceX's Starlink
SpaceX's Starlink satellites, operating within low-Earth orbit, also leverage inter-satellite laser links for seamless data exchange among themselves. This technology enables Starlink to provide extensive internet coverage across the globe.
Market Dynamics and Competitors
Despite Russia's restrictions on using Starlink, reports suggest that Russian entities are acquiring the company's terminals through illicit channels, facilitating their deployment on the Ukrainian battlefield at a significant scale. In a strategic move, the Russia-based company, formerly known as MegaFon 1440, disclosed plans to invest approximately $76 million in the development of a satellite data transmission system back in 2020. Subsequently, the company successfully launched its first trio of satellites into orbit in 2023, as reported by the Russian business portal TAdviser.
In a recent Telegram announcement, the company reiterated its objective of establishing a broadband data service capable of delivering high-speed communications with minimal latency worldwide, mirroring the capabilities of Space X's Starlink. The project is positioned as a groundbreaking initiative akin to the historic launch of Sputnik 1, the first artificial satellite to orbit Earth in 1957.
Industry Competition
Bureau 1440 is just one player in the broader landscape of companies striving to provide global high-speed internet access through satellite constellations in low Earth orbit. Besides Starlink, competitors like Amazon's Project Kuiper, Eutelsat's OneWeb, and Telesat's Lightspeed are actively contending for market share in this rapidly evolving space.
For more details, refer to the original article on Business Insider.
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By: tspirlet@insider.com (Thibault Spirlet)
Title: Russia’s Starlink Rival Completes Successful Tests of Laser Inter-Satellite Communication
Sourced From: www.businessinsider.com/russia-company-says-completed-first-tests-russia-answer-musk-starlink-2024-6
Published Date: Tue, 04 Jun 2024 14:09:39 +0000
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