Kepler recently launched two optical Pathfinder satellites equipped with not only its RF payloads but also two optical communications terminals compatible with the SDA’s constellation. (Illustration courtesy of Kepler Communications.)
In this Q&A with Robert Conrad, Vice President of U.S. Business Development for Kepler Communications US, we discuss: Kepler’s Space Development Agency (SDA)-compliant space data relay network that will bring modern Internet capability to space, it’s mission to deliver on-orbit connectivity with a constellation of satellites designed to act as orbiting Internet exchange points, and how its hybrid RF/optical network will modernize space communications with low-latency, high-throughput capabilities.
Breaking Defense: Introduce us to Kepler and your latest project.
Robert Conrad is Vice President of U.S. Business Development for Kepler Communications.
Conrad: Kepler is building an optical space data relay network called The Kepler Network, which will bring Internet connectivity to space. Our network is compatible with the SDA’s Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture, allowing interoperability between commercial and government architectures. SDA compatibility enables Kepler to offer resiliency for government networks. The Kepler Network ties in nicely with what SDA is deploying and with what the Defense Innovation Unit is building with its Hybrid Space Architecture program.
One aspect that’s very important to the SDA is to be able to connect to commercial remote sensing satellites: Earth observation companies providing imagery to the DoD and ultimately to the warfighter. Customers can connect their remote sensing satellites to The Kepler Network, which serves as a translator layer between the SDA and commercial Earth observation satellites.
Ultimately, Kepler is a communications data transport provider. Within our network, our satellites are interconnected by optical intersatellite links, allowing us to provide low-latency, sub-minute data transport from image collection by a satellite to delivery to the warfighter.
Breaking Defense: The Army needs low-latency, low-Earth orbit communications for on-the-move communications, for example. I assume then, that your Internet in Space will support that.
Conrad: That’s correct. We can provide low-latency solutions for anything that can connect into our network, whether it be specifically tied to the Army from a tactical perspective or even human spaceflight and other space connectivity needs outside of the DoD.
Breaking Defense: Tell us about your existing constellation and space activities.
Conrad: To date, Kepler has launched 21 satellites as part of our first-generation constellation, providing S- and Ku-band point-to-point communication to customers worldwide. Many don’t realize that we are vertically integrated with in-house production facilities allowing us to manage the full lifecycle of satellite development and operations. We have built our own S-band and Ku-band flight hardware and have significant flight heritage on those radios as part of our technology development roadmap.
Kepler has launched 21 satellites as part of its first-generation constellation, providing worldwide S- and Ku-band point-to-point communications. (Illustration courtesy of Kepler.)
We are very excited about our most recent milestone: the launch of two optical Pathfinder satellites, equipped with not only our RF payloads but also two optical communications terminals compatible with the SDA’s constellation. Our Pathfinder satellites will validate optical intersatellite links, paving the way for the future of The Kepler Network.
We’re also in discussions with a number of government agencies and commercial providers that have interest in demonstrations and capability tests with these OCT-equipped satellites, whether for space-to-space or space-to-ground optical connections.
Breaking Defense: The SDA’s Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture includes the Transport and Tracking Layer satellites that will also use optical communications. Is what they’re doing for ballistic missile warning and tracking similar to what you’re doing with laser comms?
Conrad: There are certain payloads that the SDA are flying from a U.S. military perspective that are different to ours, such as Link 16, which allow them to communicate with different assets within the Department of Defense.
The similarity with our Network is that their intersatellite links and connections to other on-orbit users are all optical, so the SDA satellites themselves and other SDA-compatible platforms can seamlessly connect into our Network, because our satellites are flying the same standard of optical communications terminal.
Breaking Defense: Describe the threat scenario that necessitates the need for optical, laser communications between satellites.
Conrad: Over the last decade, it’s clear that the battlefield has moved to space. The on-orbit vantage point allows for the collection of imagery for a variety of reasons including civil applications. Given the current global conflicts overseas, the transport of remote sensing satellite data in near-real time enables the warfighter to make decisions protecting U.S. interests and lives.
Optical intersatellite connectivity allows for data delivery to the end user within minutes after data acquisition. Near-real-time communications are critical for our warfighters, and that’s a significant driver of optical technology in defense. There are many other applications, such as human spaceflight and other markets that also require this low-latency, high-bandwidth solution.
The Kepler Network, which will be on orbit and operational in the 2025 timeframe, will provide this connectivity and high-bandwidth, low-latency transport to a variety of customers.
Breaking Defense: What are the technological advances that are making possible the Internet of space?
Conrad: First, from a cost perspective, access to space has become more affordable. The barrier to entry is rapidly diminishing as the cost and logistics of launching satellites are within reach of smaller companies thanks to rideshares. The cost of satellites is also going down tremendously over time for a variety of reasons such as assembly line manufacturing of small sats.
Regarding optical communications, there have been many demonstrations for quite some time, including by NASA and ESA, leading to many technological advancements.
Now you have SDA coming online and creating an optical standard, pushing the optical communications terminal manufacturers to build terminals that are interoperable with each other. This is huge since one-off bespoke systems can’t meet every need; mass production and standardization are necessary for widespread adoption. The industry now has a standard in place, allowing for interoperability to enable seamless communications between networks.
Breaking Defense: Are there actual standards at this point, something like MOSA in the Army?
Conrad: Yes. SDA has developed the standard for optical communication. It’s an extensive standard that’s being followed by most of the U.S. and European optical communication terminal manufacturers right now, and being backed up by SDA prime contractor investments, on-orbit demonstrations, and eventual operational usage.
Breaking Defense: You’ve just opened your first U.S. office. Tell us about that.
Conrad: Headquartered in Toronto, Canada, Kepler is well positioned to serve the U.S. market. We’ve opened the U.S. office to focus on serving the U.S. government and what I call the ‘U.S. flagship’ companies that support the government. We want to be integrated into this network because our space data relay capabilities will add value to a wide range of missions. The capabilities we’re bringing to the U.S. industrial base leverage the engineering we do in Canada.