CubeISL

CubeISL: Key components for the intersatellite link
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The CubeISL project aims to demonstrate bidirectional optical communication between two CubeSats in orbit, as well as an optical data downlink from the CubeSat to the ground station with an increased data rate. To this end, two 6U CubeSats will each be equipped with a laser communication terminal (LCT) which is developed by the Institute of Communication and Navigation (KN). Both CubeSats will be placed in a low-Earth orbit and will demonstrate optical data transmission in space over distances of up to 1500 kilometres with data transmission rates of up to 100 Megabit/second in formation flight. At the same time, a significantly improved downlink data rate between CubeSat and ground station of up to 1 Gigabit/second will be demonstrated.

The CubeISL project is being realized in collaboration between the DLR RSC³ and the DLR Institute of Communication and Navigation as well as the DLR Institution for Space Operations and Astronaut Training.

Participating institutes

Space Operations and Astronaut Training

DLR Space Operations is the central institution for spaceflight operations in Germany. This responsibility includes satellite missions for Earth observation, science and communication missions as well as the exploration of the Solar System and human spaceflight missions.

Institute of Communications and Navigation

The Institute of Communications and Navigation develops and investigates new systems and methods for radio transmission and radiolocation.