Warpspace Wins Contracts from JAXA for Lunar and Long-Distance Optcom Studies

 APRIL 19, 2023

Warpspace, aiming to realize near real-time optical communication services in space using small satellites, received two new contracts from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) this year. Warpspace was awarded by JAXA last fiscal year to study the practical application of the Moon to Earth communication architecture.

Warpspace has been conducting research and development for commercializing optical data relay services in space using optical communications technology.

Recently, space development has gained momentum worldwide, with the announcement of a lunar landing plan by a Japanese private company and a new astronaut candidate for the Artemis mission, and the launch of satellites by private companies, including Starlink, becoming more active. Communication from space to Earth is a critical lifeline for human beings to achieve their missions in space. As space exploration continues accelerating, there are increasing demands for communications speed, responsiveness, and availability. To develop a communications infrastructure that can meet and sustain these demands, it is necessary to conduct technology verification and equipment development.

Last year, Warpspace was commissioned by JAXA to study the communications architecture for lunar exploration. The study was conducted to consider the most suitable communication method, including new methods such as optical communications for (1) near-lunar communications, (2) lunar-Earth communications, and (3) lunar surface communications, by evaluation of the cost, sustainability of communications, and maintainability of each combination.

The first of the two new study and development tasks assigned to Warpspace this year is a conceptual study of the communications architecture between a lunar orbiting data relay satellite and the lunar surface (including communications within the lunar base), which is an extensive study of the previous year's. The second is the development of an ultra-sensitive sensor (InGaAs quad avalanche photodiode) for satellite detection and tracking and its control technology, which is indispensable for the realization of long-distance high-speed optical communication between the Moon and the Earth, which are 400,000 km apart.

As space development accelerates with the participation of the private sector, companies are making daily efforts to accumulate know-how to reduce development costs and secure unique capabilities through various competitive and co-creative relationships. The accumulated knowledge can be applied to national and global space exploration and development projects, leading to more efficient development, which in turn strengthens the competitiveness of the private sector.

In this competitive development environment, Warpspace aims to be the first private company in the world to realize a data relay service using optical communications. We will continue to work on the project we have been assigned to support space development from the framework of important telecommunications by demonstrating the knowledge and technological capabilities we have cultivated. 

Comment from Akihiro Nagata, CTO of Warpspace : We are very pleased to be entrusted with the research and development work again, as it is a sign of confidence in our company in this industry. The technology we are developing this time is one of the key technologies needed to realize ultra-long distance optical communications. By realizing an efficient communications infrastructure based on this technology, Japan may be able to lead the world in the field of communications for future lunar exploration. In the field of space development, which is evolving day by day through friendly competition involving various levels of knowledge, Warpspace is committed to supporting the advancement of Japanese technology on the world stage of space development.

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