BEIJING: Chinese scientific institutions have successfully conducted a laser communication test between a high-altitude satellite and ground stations, enabling two-way data transmission at a rate of 1 gigabit per second over a distance exceeding 40,000 kilometers, according to China Science Daily on Tuesday.
Currently, research in satellite-ground laser communication aims to enhance two key areas: boosting downlink speeds to manage data surges in specific scenarios, and developing robust, long-term, real-time, bi-directional communication capabilities in high-orbit environments—crucial for space-based systems and advanced interactive technologies.
The experiment was carried out by the Chinese Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Optics and Electronics, in collaboration with Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications, the China Academy of Space Technology, and other organizations. They established a dependable laser link between an observatory located in southwestern Yunnan Province and a geostationary satellite.
The team successfully achieved bidirectional communication over a distance of up to 40,740 kilometers at a speed of 1 gigabit per second, setting records with a link setup time of just four seconds and maintaining continuous operation for over three hours.
Conducted on a more challenging high-orbit platform, this experiment extended stable communication durations from minutes to hours, enabling real-time, high-speed, two-way connectivity. This development marks a significant milestone toward creating an integrated Earth-space communication network.
This technological breakthrough allows satellites not only to transmit data swiftly but also to receive complex commands in real time, opening pathways to upgrade high-orbit satellites from basic data relays to intelligent processing hubs.
The researchers confirmed that the ground stations demonstrated strong deep-space communication capabilities. This success paves the way for future high-speed laser links with celestial bodies such as the Moon and Mars, as well as distant space probes.
The reliability observed in this test indicates that the technology is mature enough for large-scale engineering applications in future space missions.
