Kyoto, Japan (June 17, 2024) — Kyocera Corporation announced that its Fine Cordierite ceramic mirror has been chosen for use in experimental equipment to conduct optical communication between the International Space Station (ISS) and a mobile optical station on Earth. This is the first time1 that cordierite has been adopted for such a purpose.
Kyocera’s Fine Cordierite ceramic mirror has been adopted in the optical communication antenna (Quantum-Small Optical Link, Hereinafter: QSOL) developed by Sony Computer Science Laboratories, Inc. (President and CEO: Hiroaki Kitano, Hereinafter: Sony CSL). Developed following a commission from Japan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, QSOL is an optical communication antenna component for the Secure Laser Communications Terminal for Low Earth Orbit, “SeCRETS”, for on-orbit technology demonstration.
This demonstration was conducted jointly by the National Institute of Information and Communications Technology, the School of Engineering, the University of Tokyo, the Next Generation Space System Technology Research Association, SKY Perfect JSAT Corporation and Sony CSL.
Background of Material Selection
The current method for two-way data communication between Earth observation satellites in space and ground stations involves using optical wireless communication with either radio waves or visible light. This communication is essential for acquiring image data for weather forecasting, disaster response, and infrastructure monitoring.
Advancements in the sensors installed on Earth observation satellites have resulted in an increased volume of obtainable observation data. However, there is a pressing need to rapidly transmit large amounts of observation data to ground stations. Achieving high-speed and high-capacity data communication has posed a challenge for space infrastructure. To address this issue, the implementation of laser-light optical communication is expected to enable data transmission and reception at speeds over 100 times faster than radio wave communication with significantly higher capacity.
Additionally, to transmit data from satellites to specific ground stations by optical communication, it is necessary to adjust the light to the optimal angle using optical mirrors. Conventionally, metal or glass mirrors have been used, but nanoscale precision is required for adjusting light. Therefore, mirrors with long-term stable dimensional accuracy and the ability to withstand thermal expansion and temperature changes in the harsh space environment are needed.
In this experiment, Kyocera’s Fine Cordierite ceramic mirror was installed in QSOL due to its unique thermal and mechanical properties, such as low thermal expansion and long-term dimensional stability.
With the success of this experiment, we believe that our products can contribute to the construction of space infrastructure aimed at achieving high-speed and high-capacity data communication in satellite optical communication in the future.
Kyocera will continue to leverage its Fine Ceramic technology to develop reliable components that contribute to research and observation in the fields of astronomy and space.
Learn more about Kyocera’s Fine Cordierite ceramic mirror.
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About Kyocera
Kyocera Corporation (TOKYO:6971), the parent and global headquarters of the Kyocera Group, was founded in 1959 as a producer of fine ceramics (also known as “advanced ceramics”). By combining these engineered materials with metals and integrating them with other technologies, Kyocera has become a leading supplier of industrial and automotive components, semiconductor packages, electronic devices, smart energy systems, printers, copiers, and mobile phones. During the year ended March 31, 2024, the company’s consolidated sales revenue totaled 2 trillion yen (approx. US$13.3 billion). Kyocera is ranked #672 on Forbes magazine’s 2023 “Global 2000” list of the world’s largest publicly traded companies, and has been named among “The World’s 100 Most Sustainably Managed Companies” by The Wall Street Journal.
1 First time a mirror made of cordierite ceramic was chosen for use in experimental optical communications equipment in the ISS, based on Kyocera research (2024)
