SMRTR TechSep 10, 2025Interesting Engineering

World’s first plane-to-satellite laser beams data at 1 Gbps over 3,400 miles

SMRTR summary

General Atomics and Kepler Communications successfully tested the first aircraft-to-satellite laser communication, transmitting data at 1 Gbps over 3,400 miles. The system connected a 10-watt optical terminal on a Twin Otter aircraft to a satellite in low Earth orbit, demonstrating secure high-speed connectivity for military and commercial applications while validating a key element of the Pentagon's space network architecture.

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