GEOQKD: Quantum Key Distribution from a geostationary satellite

Due to the distance limitation of quantum communication via ground-based fibre networks, space-based quantum key distribution (QKD) is a viable solution to extend such networks over continental and, ultimately, over global distances. Compared to Low Earth Orbits (LEO), QKD from a Geostationary Orbit (GEO) offers substantial advantages, such as...

Opto-mechatronics system development for future intersatellite laser communications

Optical communications will complement radio frequency (RF) communications in the coming decades to enhance throughput, power efficiency and link security of satellite communication links. To enable optical communications technology for intersatellite links and (bi-directional) ground to satellite links, TNO develops a suite of technologies in...

3D Advance Metrology by means of 3D Atomic Force Microscopy

We developed a new 3D-AFM technique that enables imaging of high aspect ratio trenches. By measuring both lateral and vertical forces on a cantilever tip, a subharmonic mode based on the attractive tip-sample forces becomes feasible. This enables the measurement of true 3D information of samples without causing damage. This is especially...

HAPS - Coms & Observation Platform

HAPS, a station located on an object at an altitude of 20 to 50 km and at a specified, nominal, fixed point relative to the Earth (ITU RR Vol I 1.66a). A HAPS can be a unmanned airplane, a balloon, or an airship. All require electrical power to keep themselves and their payload functional. Since HAPS operate at much lower altitudes than...

LEOCAT: Low SWaP, low recurring cost optical head for intersatellite optical communication

LEOCAT is an optical head for intersatellite communication currently under development by TNO (ESA ARTES contract). The objective of LEOCAT is to develop a low recurring cost low SWAP (Size Weight and Power) optical head for the optical satellite communication constellation market. The aim of LEOCAT is to achieve a data-rate of 10Gbit/s over a...

CubeCAT DTE

Cube satellite (cubesat) is a specific realization of a smallsat that is characterized by its volume changing in increments of 1dm3, or 1U. A (popular) 3U format cubesat is furthermore classified as a Nano satellite, as it typically has a mass between 1 and 10 kg. Within CubeSATs expanding the downlink data bandwidth is one of the central...

TESLA-C Optical Bench

To accommodate such a massive satellite constellation with OCT’s, the following key drivers are identified for the space terminals: - Low Size, Weight and Power (SWaP): One of the key advantages of using optical communication wavelengths over RF wavelength is that it allows for highly compact and low power OCT’s. To fully realize this potential,...

Key challenges and results in the design of Cubesat Laser Terminals, Optical Heads and Coarse Pointing Assemblies

The anticipated capacity benefit of optical satellite communications has triggered a cascade of technology developments. In this paper, we present three such technologies, namely; i). A cube satellite laser terminal (CubeCAT), ii). A lower Earth orbit satellite optical head (LEOCAT) and iii). A calibration and verification test bench for coarse...

Optical satellite communication space terminal technology at TNO

Optical communications will complement radio frequency (RF) communications in the coming decades to enhance throughput, power efficiency and link security of satellite communication links. To enable optical communications technology for intersatellite links and (bi-directional) ground to satellite links, TNO develops a suite of technologies in...

Evaluation of an alternative in vitro test battery for detecting reproductive toxicants

The application of alternative methods in developmental and reproductive toxicology is challenging in view of the complexity of mechanisms involved. A battery of complementary test systems may provide a better prediction of developmental and reproductive toxicity than single assays. We tested twelve compounds with varying mechanisms of toxic...

Simultaneous observation of two stars using the PRIMA Star Separator

ESO is building the Phase Referenced Imaging and Microarcsecond Astronomy (PRIMA) facility for the Very Large Telescope Interferometer (VLTI) in Chile. PRIMA will enable interferometric imaging of very faint objects and high precision astrometry with both Unit (UT) and Auxiliary (AT) telescopes. The PRIMA facility consists of four major sub...