SpaceLink-ISS Connectivity End-to-End Demonstration (SLICED)

Abstract

In Fall 2021, SpaceLink Corporation was selected by the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS), manager of the International Space Station (ISS) U.S. National Laboratory, for a demonstration of its end-to-end space data relay service. SpaceLink will provide secure, continuous communications between terrestrial operators and an optical terminal on the ISS, enabling real-time, high-throughput connectivity for the onboard crew, systems, and various science experiments. In a highly competitive process, made available for companies and research teams to propose technology development concepts operating in Low Earth Orbit (LEO), CASIS selected the SpaceLink concept. With this selection, SpaceLink will advance its flight project in collaboration with the ISS National Laboratory. The SpaceLink relay network will succeed and exceed NASA's Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System (TDRSS) with unprecedented capacity that leverages the latest optical communications technology advances. Demand for high-throughput, continuous orbital connectivity continues to grow with the ongoing proliferation of LEO satellites. SpaceLink's network is designed to help close the business case for Earth observation companies, commercial space stations, satellite services, launch vehicles, and space tugs. It also meets the requirements of the U.S. Government and close allies that are leveraging real-time, secure communications solutions. The SpaceLink ISS demonstration will validate a 10 Gigabit per second (Gbps) optical terminal communication link for real-time voice, video, and data relay for the ISS. Axiom Space, SpaceLink's implementation partner, will leverage its expertise in working with NASA and the ISS National Laboratory to support the SpaceLink payload mission integration, launch, and operations. Axiom will support SpaceLink as a liaison with NASA and will lead safety reviews to ensure SpaceLink hardware meets all ISS requirements. The SpaceLink-ISS Connectivity End to End Demonstration (SLICED) will demonstrate the highest data rates that can be achieved between SpaceLink relay spacecraft in Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) and the ISS, an example user satellite in LEO. The demonstration will include MEO-LEO edge case geometries where the relative range rates between the satellites are the highest and required contact acquisition times are shortest. SpaceLink's real-time gigabit user data rates are possible via optical inter-satellite communications between spacecraft, as well as high-bandwidth QN-band communications between SpaceLink's relay spacecraft and terrestrial gateways. SpaceLink has designed an innovative system architecture, implementing high-security services and continuous availability so that satellite data is available in real time when it matters the most. This study will discuss the technical foundation behind SpaceLink's ISS demonstration infrastructure.