We seek to develop technologies that will improve communications between spacecraft and Earth. Our project aims to add New Zealand’s first optical communications ground station node to a growing international network.
Data transfer between space and ground is typically enabled using radio frequency (RF) communications. Space missions are, however, frequently limited by the amount of data that can be transmitted to the ground using radio transmissions. Earth observation images, for example, are being recorded at ever higher resolution, requiring large amounts of bandwidth.
Free space optical communication (FSOC) via laser light offers a step change in the bandwidth of communications over traditional radio transmission. This is largely owing to the shorter wavelengths of light compared to radio transmissions, allowing higher carrier frequencies and consequently higher bandwidths.
A large identified potential market for optical ground station technology is servicing Earth observation (EO) satellite operators in low earth orbit (LEO) to meet the increasing demand for data transfer services from such satellites. There are a rising number of EO satellites being launched with high resolution payloads, which produce large quantities of data in space, necessitating higher data rates for downlink, which are achievable with optical communications.
Our prototype FSOC observatory, which saw first light in early 2024, is fitted with a Planewave L-350 mount, a Ritchey Chretien GSO 12in telescope and a cutting-edge instrument designed by the DLR to enable FSOC.
An initial study has been completed to short list potential sites at which a first New Zealand FSOC optical ground station could be placed. Three all-sky cameras supplied by NIWA are currently being deployed to these potential sites, and cloud coverage data will be analysed and used to train algorithms to produce short timescale cloud pattern movement forecasts. By combining this data with considerations such as ease of access and facilities, we will select the optimal site for establishment of New Zealand's first full-scale ground station node.
The observatory dome relocated from the New Zealand Defence Force's Defence Science and Technology Whangaparaora site.
Team member Walker in the Taiaho Observatory with the PlaneWave L-350 mount and a small test telescope.
We seek support to establish the first New Zealand FSOC node to form part of an Australasian Optical Communications Ground Station Network, providing optical communication services to end users. This would comprise a 0.5 - 1 meter class telescope, operating on a PlaneWave mount in a remotely controllable dome. Together with the European ground station nodes, the combined network would offer significant site diversity.
Ultimately, the ground station would provide a commercial service. We seek both real cost funding or in-kind support for the development of this project as it develops from a research-focussed entity to a commercial one.
