Safran Data Systems, a Safran Electronics & Defense company, has signed a contract with Swedish Space Corporation (SSC) to supply an optical ground station designed to support Earth-space communications at data rates 10 to 100 times faster than radiofrequency systems.

The latest-generation solution will be installed in Chile at the end of this year.

French-owned Safran has a base in Gloucester.

Safran Data Systems will deliver to Swedish Space Corporation (SSC) an IRIS optical ground station, consisting of a 50cm laser telescope and optronics (electro-optical) systems that ensure optimal coverage of the sky. Featuring the Cortex Lasercom optical communications modem, this ground station offers much faster communication speeds than conventional radiofrequency technologies.

The vast majority of modern Earth-space communications systems use radio waves, a technology that's both simple and reliable, and that meets the challenges of the space industry. Laser technology is now raising the bar even higher, opening up new prospects across the entire space sector.

Safran Data Systems' optical ground stations are a perfect complement to radiofrequency communications with their ability to transmit data 10 to 100 times faster.

Developed wholly in-house, this system rounds out Safran Data Systems' portfolio of turnkey solutions geared to the space industry's needs. Its IRIS stations are adapted to a broad spectrum of missions and are natively compatible with international standards, assuring flexibility and adaptation with a wide range of satellites. With this technology and its radiofrequency antennas, Safran Data Systems is the world leader in ground stations for communications between spacecraft and Earth.

Noël Barreau, executive VP space & communication at Safran Data Systems, said: "Optical communications is a truly revolutionary technology. It's paving the way for new applications by pushing the limits of current space communications, and we are proud to be driving this revolution alongside the Swedish Space Corporation."

Hanna Sundberg, SSC optical program manager and project manager for the NODES project, said: "The advanced Safran Data Systems IRIS station with its multi-mission capabilities will be a key addition to our upcoming optical ground station network and in the development of space-to-Earth optical communication services.

"We are excited to continue this journey and advance the technology of space communication and increase data rates."

The new optical ground station will join the NODES network developed by SSC under contract awarded by the European Space Agency (ESA), with the support of the Swedish National Space Agency, in the frame of its ARTES Scylight1 programme.

It will be installed in Chile at the end of 2024, making it the third such station in the world supplied by Safran Data Systems.