Paper 13355-96
Paper 13355-96
Testing a small, deployable, optical ground terminal for LEO to ground laser communications
28 January 2025 • 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM PST | Moscone West, Room 2003 (Level 2)
Abstract
Reducing the size, weight, power consumption and cost of optical communication systems is critical to mass adoption of wireless laser communications for satellite applications. For the ground segment, deployment and commissioning speed are additional barriers to adoption. Archangel Lightworks is developing the TERRA-M, a small (30cm aperture), deployable, optical ground terminal for proliferated space-ground lasercom. This paper presents initial test results from the prototype TERRA-M demonstration campaign in the UK, including results of rapid deployment & commissioning tests, pointing acquisition and tracking, link budget validation.
Presenter
Owain Pryce-Jones
Archangel Lightworks (United Kingdom)
Owain Pryce-Jones is the Chief Technology Officer at Archangel Lightworks, a UK company that connects terrestrial networks with emerging space systems using free-space laser communication. Co-founding the company in 2017, he leads the organization's product development strategy, serves as design authority, and supports the broader engineering team. Owain has contributed to projects in GNSS-denied navigation and autonomous high-altitude flight. He holds a Master's degree in Aerospace Engineering and a BSc in Physics (Hons) from The University of Manchester.