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The i2CAT research centre and Transcelestial, a Singapore-based company specialising in wireless laser communications, have formalised a two-year Research Collaboration Agreement that establishes a framework for joint research in the critical areas of space-to-ground optical communications and inter-satellite links (ISL). This field represents a transformative opportunity for advancing global telecommunication networks. Both i2CAT and Transcelestial share a strong commitment to driving innovation in this domain, which promises to deliver unprecedented speeds, bandwidth efficiency, and secure data transmission capabilities. The agreement combines i2CAT’s expertise in space networking with Transcelestial’s cutting-edge hardware and technology, utilising strategic optical ground stations in both Europe and Asia to tackle key technological challenges.
Leveraging Unique Expertise and Strategic Infrastructure
The joint effort is designed to leverage the distinct expertise and infrastructure of both parties to tackle key research and technological challenges. i2CAT contributes its extensive knowledge in space networking, experimental platforms, and inter-satellite links, aligning with its mission to foster innovation through collaborative research. Crucially, i2CAT will provide access to its optical ground station in Móra la Nova (Catalonia), which serves as a strategic location for validating space-to-ground laser communication under varied environmental conditions.
“For i2CAT, this research agreement represents the opportunity to transfer our research in intersatellite links into a real product, bringing the paradigm of non-terrestrial networks a step closer to reality”, explains Head of Space – Innovation Business at i2CAT, Clàudia Mateo-Segura.
Transcelestial is uniquely positioned due to its cutting-edge hardware and deep expertise in optical technologies for terrestrial and satellite applications. For space-to-ground research, Transcelestial will provide access to its operational optical ground station in Singapore, offering a critical platform for testing and demonstrating laser communication systems in real-world scenarios.
“Space-to-ground and inter-satellite laser links are moving from research into commercial deployment. Working alongside i2CAT, we’re ensuring that our joint advances become the foundation for products and services that will transform global connectivity,” says Head of Space and Defence at Transcelestial, Jan Smisek.
Building on a Foundation of Previous Collaboration
This new agreement formalises and expands upon an existing collaboration between the two organisations. i2CAT provided Transcelestial with consultancy in space mission concept analysis and design, while Transcelestial provided the optical terminal for the 6GStarLab mission led by i2CAT, Europe’s first low-orbit open 6G research satellite, which is expected to launch by the end of this year. As part of the same mission, Transcelestial will deploy its first optical ground station in Europe, located in Catalonia. This setup will enable real-time space-to-ground laser communication experiments, marking a significant step forward for non-terrestrial networks.
