Terran Orbital Successfully Completes Next Step in Demonstrating Space-to-Ground Optical Link on NASA’s Pathfinder Technology Demonstrator 3 Satellite

Rhea-AI Summary

Terran Orbital Corporation (NYSE: LLAP) has successfully acquired the first signal from the Terabyte Infrared Delivery (TBIRD) Lasercom Optical Link on NASA’s Pathfinder Technology Demonstrator 3 (PTD-3) satellite. This achievement signifies successful laser communication signal exchange between the spacecraft and ground terminal, advancing PTD-3 towards full payload commissioning. The TBIRD payload can potentially revolutionize satellite communications with a groundbreaking data transmission rate of 200 Gbps, significantly enhancing data downlink capabilities for Earth observation and radar industries.

Positive

• Successful acquisition of the TBIRD Lasercom Optical Link indicates progress towards full payload commissioning.
• TBIRD payload demonstrates a laser communication downlink capability of 200 Gbps, enabling faster data transmission.
• The technology has potential applications in enhancing satellite communications for Earth observation and radar industries.

Negative

• None.

BOCA RATON, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Terran Orbital Corporation (NYSE: LLAP), a global leader in satellite solutions, primarily serving the United States and Allied aerospace and defense industries, today announced the first signal acquisition of the Terabyte Infrared Delivery (TBIRD) Lasercom Optical Link on NASA’s Pathfinder Technology Demonstrator 3 (PTD-3) satellite. Acquisition of the Lasercom Optical Link means that the spacecraft and the optical ground terminal have successfully exchanged laser communication signals — bringing PTD-3 one step closer to full payload commissioning.

PTD-3's TeraByte InfraRed Delivery (TBIRD) payload will demonstrate optical communications downlink at a groundbreaking 200 gigabits per second (Credit: Terran Orbital Corporation)

The PTD-3 mission is one in a series of NASA small satellite technology demonstration missions. The mission series, managed by NASA’s Small Spacecraft Technology program within the agency’s Space Technology Mission Directorate, demonstrates novel CubeSat technologies in Low-Earth Orbit (LEO). The TBIRD system is funded by NASA’s Space Communications and Navigation program and was built by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Lincoln Laboratory (MITLL) in Lexington.

Following Terran Orbital’s completion of the commissioning process for the PTD-3 spacecraft, the TBIRD payload will demonstrate an astonishing 200-Gbps space-to-ground optical link. With a transmission rate of multiple orders of magnitude faster than current state-of-the-art satellite communications, this NASA and MITLL technology would enable spacecraft to downlink several terabytes of data to the ground in a single ground station pass. This breakthrough has the potential to revolutionize the space-based earth observation and synthetic aperture radar industries, among others, by offering a space-demonstrated solution to the data throughput bottlenecks that have historically limited their capabilities.

Terran Orbital designed, built, and tested the Pathfinder Technology Demonstrator bus accommodating the payload, as well as the payload’s unique interface board in addition to performing thermal and structural analyses on the spacecraft. Terran Orbital also developed custom guidance, navigation, and control (GNC) algorithms to accommodate this mission’s tight pointing requirements, as well as a novel on-orbit lasercom boresight scanning algorithm. Terran Orbital assembled, integrated, and tested the spacecraft prior to its launch aboard SpaceX Transporter-5. Now Terran Orbital is leading PTD-3’s mission operations, commissioning, Launch and Early Orbit Phase (LEOP), and on-orbit activities for the spacecraft. NASA and MITLL lead the overall coordination and on-orbit operations for the TBIRD payload.

“Terran Orbital has been privileged to be involved with PTD-3 since its inception,” said Terran Orbital Co-Founder, Chairman, and Chief Executive Officer Marc Bell. “PTD-3 is opening a universe of possibility when it comes to future mission capabilities. Terran Orbital looks forward to working alongside NASA and MITLL as we continue to design, build, and deliver unprecedented satellite solutions.”

About Terran Orbital

Terran Orbital is a leading manufacturer of small satellites primarily serving the United States and Allied aerospace and defense industries. Terran Orbital provides end-to-end satellite solutions by combining satellite design, production, launch planning, mission operations, and on-orbit support to meet the needs of the most demanding military, civil, and commercial customers. Learn more at www.terranorbital.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220718005594/en/

Virginia Norder

pr@terranorbital.com

949-508-6404

Source: Terran Orbital Corporation

FAQ

What recent achievement did Terran Orbital announce regarding NASA's PTD-3 satellite?

Terran Orbital announced the successful acquisition of the TBIRD Lasercom Optical Link, indicating progress towards full payload commissioning.

How fast is the data transmission rate demonstrated by the TBIRD payload on PTD-3?

The TBIRD payload is capable of a data transmission rate of 200 Gbps.

What potential impact does the TBIRD technology have on satellite communications?

The TBIRD technology could revolutionize data downlink capabilities, addressing historical data throughput bottlenecks in various industries.

Which organization manages the PTD-3 mission?

The PTD-3 mission is managed by NASA’s Small Spacecraft Technology program.

What companies are involved in the development of the TBIRD payload?

The TBIRD payload was developed by MIT Lincoln Laboratory and is operated in coordination with NASA.