Australia and Japan team up on laser links to speed up satellite comms

Adelaide startup RapidBeam and the University of South Australia are joining forces with Japanese space tech firm Warpspace to deploy next-gen laser communications.

The deal is all about integrating Warpspace’s HOCSAI optical modem into the Australasian Optical Ground Station Network (AOGSN), a UniSA-led initiative spanning Australia and New Zealand.

Sending messages by freakin’ lasers is crucial to Australia’s role in the current space race as it lets large volumes of data move at lower latency than via radio waves.

“Free-space optical communications will be critical for future connectivity,” said UniSA’s Professor Craig Smith.

“By combining our research expertise with industry innovation, we are helping to build resilient, high-capacity networks that will support space missions from low Earth orbit right through to deep space.”

South Australia has been leaning into space infrastructure and commercialisation, including funding and facilities through programs like the $230 million iLAuNCH program and the 6-month Growth Ramp scaleup program.

RapidBeam founder Adi Rajendran was certain he’s placed a bet on the right type of space tech.

“Laser satellite communications will be the backbone of secure, high-capacity networks,” he said.

“Warpspace’s modem is a major step forward, directly supporting our plans for a constellation that can keep people connected on Earth and ultimately pave the way for interplanetary communications.”

Canberra and Tokyo have been tightening security and tech links in an effort to combat China.

Earlier this month, Defence Ministers from both countries met to reaffirmed their commitment to bilateral security a month after inking a $10 billion warship deal.

Warpspace Group Chief Strategy Officer, Hirokazu Mori, says the collaboration marks an important milestone in Japan–Australia cooperation.

“Working with RapidBeam and UniSA allows us to accelerate the development of new technologies and expand into Australia’s fast-growing space sector,” he says. “Together we anticipate breakthroughs that will benefit both countries and the global industry.”

The partnership was announced on the sidelines of the International Astronautical Congress taking place in Sydney this week.