Bremen/Paris, February 10, 2025 – The transmission of data using laser beams has revolutionized satellite communications – now the potential of the technology is to be harnessed for satellite navigation as well.
OHB System AG today signed a contract with the European Space Agency (ESA) for the next phase (Phase A/B1 = definition phase) of the OpSTAR project (Optical Synchronized Time And Ranging), which aims to investigate the potential of optical technologies for use in satellite navigation. A preliminary study of the same name (Phase 0) was recently completed successfully.
The objective is to develop key technologies and concepts for optical time transfer and ranging between different satellites in a constellation. For navigation satellite systems, this has the advantage that the number of ground stations required to validate navigation signals can be drastically reduced, since the satellites can synchronize their on-board times and positions with each other. Currently, the satellites must contact the ground regularly to ensure that the localization of receivers is based on the correct time and satellite position. In addition, the possibility of time transfer via optical links between satellites makes it possible to relocate a failure-prone core component of current navigation satellites to the ground: the atomic clocks. This will allow future satellites to be smaller and less complex, while increasing the accuracy and robustness of the transmitted navigation signals.
A total of 33 companies and research institutions from twelve ESA member states are involved in the project, with a German core team coordinating the work: In addition to OHB System as the main contractor, the technology leader for laser communication Tesat-Spacecom, the German Aerospace Center Institute of Communication and Navigation, and the operator of the current European navigation satellite system Galileo, Spaceopal, are important partners.
Together with ESA, OHB is also working on the development of a European standard for the application of optical communications in satellite navigation.
OpSTAR is the first step toward a potential in-orbit demonstrator for optical time synchronization and ranging, pending sufficient subscriptions from ESA member states at the ESA Ministerial Council meeting in Bremen in November this year.
Contact for media representatives:
Marianne Radel
Head of Corporate Communications
Phone: +49 421 2020 9159
Email: marianne.radel@ohb.de
Contact for investors and analysts:
Marcel Dietz
Investor Relations
Phone: +49 421 2020 6426
Email: ir@ohb.de