TNO's laser communication terminal secures prestigious win at EARTO Innovation Awards
Today TNO won second prize in the category ‘Impact Delivered‘ at the 16th EARTO Innovation Awards for the CubeCAT laser communication terminal. This technology, currently aboard an orbiting satellite, uses light waves instead of radio waves providing higher capacity and faster more secure connections. In January this year data was successfully transferred between CubeCAT and a ground station in The Hague, marking a world’s first with Dutch technology. The prize was awarded during a special ceremony in Brussels attended by a wide array of political figures and other stakeholders.
‘We’re honored by this recognition, reflecting 5 years of dedication. Terminals like CubeCAT will revolutionize space-based data transmission and advance technological sovereignty for the Netherlands in Europe and NATO.’
Recent successful demonstration
In January 2024 a successful link was established between the CubeCAT terminal on a Norwegian satellite and the TNO optical ground station in The Hague. This successful field test marked a world first for fast optical communication to Earth using a small (10x10x10 cm) and lightweight optical terminal with Dutch technology.
Fast growing market
The global demand for laser satellite communication applications and components is set to grow rapidly. The Netherlands has the ecosystem and capacity to develop series production of high-quality instruments for this market. FSO Instruments, founded in 2023, is the first Dutch company in this field, developing and producing optical heads for laser communication terminals. CubeCAT is now commercially available through FSO instruments and its partner AAC Clyde Space.
Our partners
TNO has been developing and building optical instrumentation for use in space for decades. The satellite instrument CubeCAT is developed by TNO in close cooperation with AAC Hyperion (part of AAC Clyde Space) for the onboard electronics, drivers as well as software, and Gooch & Housego (laser transmitter). The development was financed with Netherlands Space Office (NSO) funds through the ESA ARTES ScyLight program and the Dutch Ministry of Defense’s innovation budget. TNO also contributed to co-funding this program. This project was partly funded by the Ministry of Economic Affairs through Top Sector High Tech Systems and Materials.
About the EARTO Innovation Awards
The annual EARTO Innovation Awards rewards an innovation with significant proven or expected social and/or economic impact. An independent jury evaluates entries and selects the winner or winners. Founded in 1999, EARTO promotes Research and Technology Organizations (RTOs) and represents their interest in Europe. RTOs are non-profit organizations whose core mission is to produce, combine and bridge various types of knowledge, skills, and infrastructures to deliver a range of research and development activities in collaboration with public and industrial partners of all sizes. EARTO network counts over 350 RTOs in more than 32 countries. EARTO members represent 150.000 of highly skilled researchers and engineers managing a wide range of technology infrastructures.
Contact us
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Kees Buijsrogge
Functie:Director Space & Scientific InstrumentationContact me to uncover how to connect with TNO’s long-term roadmap for Space & Scientific Instrumentation. As Director, I am responsible for the strategic vision of the unit, and for ensuring that the unit’s objectives align with both society’s needs and TNO’s goals.
In addition, I connect international stakeholders and governments to the high-tech Dutch ecosystem in this domain.
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Standplaats:Delft - Stieltjesweg
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Email:Email Kees
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