European Space Agency (ESA) has conducted its first test of a laser-based data link for satellites.
During the test on Nov. 26, Sentinel-1a sent images to Inmarsat’s communications satellite Alphasat using a laser. Alphasat then relay the data back to Earth.
With this technology, satellites no longer need to be in view of an earth station in order to transmit large amounts of data such as images.
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