The Australian Space Agency has identified Communications Technologies and Services as a National Civil Space Priority Area. The key driver for this priority is the rapidly increasing demand for higher capacity and secure conventional satellite communications (SATCOM).

New optical (laser) technologies can solve this problem by delivering secure, internet-like data rates from low Earth orbit; 1000s of times greater data rates than can be achieve using standard radio technologies. Optical technologies are also ideally suited for quantum-secured communication, ultra-precise spacecraft positioning and timing, with services able to extend to the Moon and beyond.

TeraNet will tackle conventional SATCOM challenges by establishing a three-node optical ground station network in Western Australia. The network comprises a 0.7m optical ground station (OGS) at the University of Western Australia; a 0.7m OGS at the Mingenew Space Precinct, 300km North of Perth, and a 0.4m mobile OGS that will be first deployed at the European Space Agency’s New Norcia facility, that can be deployed anywhere in the world. TeraNet has received major funding from the Australian Space Agency, The University of Western Australia, and the West Australian Government.