Amazon has achieved a significant milestone in its Project Kuiper initiative by successfully testing optical inter-seal bonds (OISL), a previously undisclosed technology that enables laser connections between satellites.
The technology, which employs infrared lasers to transmit data among satellites in low-earth orbit, aims to deploy a fleet of small satellites to enhance global access to broadband internet, particularly in remote areas, as reported by Amazon.
The prototypes of Kuiper satellites named Kuipersat-1 and Kuipersat-2, launched in October 2023, underwent testing. Data transfer and reception were accomplished at speeds of up to 100 gigabits per second over distances of almost 1000 kilometers. The technology has the capability to facilitate communication within a radius of 2600 kilometers.
This innovation enables direct data transfer between satellites, eliminating the need for relaying data through Earth. Consequently, internet access will be made available in locations such as the open sea or remote areas. For instance, a cruise ship or transatlantic aircraft will be able to transmit data from virtually anywhere on Earth.
Amazon asserts that the laser bond-based network will expedite data transfer by approximately 30% compared to existing fiber-optic cables.
The development of laser connections in space presented considerable challenges, given the requirement for narrow and precise beams. The system was meticulously designed to accommodate the movement of spacecraft traveling at speeds of up to 15,534 miles per hour.
By the first half of 2024, Amazon plans to launch 3236 satellites to establish a space-based internet access network. Contracts have been secured with United Launch Alliance, Arianespace, Blue Origin, and even rival SpaceX for satellite deployment.
SpaceX’s Starlink system, which currently serves over two million users in more than 60 countries, also employs a similar technology.