QinetiQ has received a contract from the UK Ministry of Defence’s (MoD) Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) to construct a relocatable Optical Ground Station (OGS).

The £2.3m contract was awarded via the Serapis Lot 2 commercial framework.

OGS will be designed to be able to receive high-speed data transmissions from space and will support the Space Programme of Dstl.

It will provide a platform to carry out research and experimentation related to free-space optical communications (FSOC) from space.

The station will aid the ‘Titania’ Capability Demonstrator, which aims to develop and showcase the use of low Earth orbit (LEO) direct-to-Earth (DTE) free space optical communications in the military.

It is said to support the information advantage (IA) concept with the ability to boost the data transfer rate from space and enhance resilience.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

Additionally, it will safeguard the data in radio frequency (RF) disputed and jammed environments.

Firstly, it will focus on quick relay of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) data from satellites in the LEO to the ground.

Dstl space programme manager Mike O’Callaghan said: “The use of space-based optical communications offers many military benefits: potentially large data rates, low probability of interception / detection, and freedom from spectrum management.

“The OGS will provide a solid foundation on which to conduct experimentation into FSOC and allow the science to be developed.

“The OGS will also allow the UK to develop interoperability and common approaches with our International partners. We are delighted to be working with QinetiQ on this highly innovative project and provide real impact for MoD.”