X-lumin Demonstrates Roundtrip Optical Transmission to LEO Satellite with 15cm Portable Terminal

X-lumin has achieved roundtrip optical transmission using a 15cm Optical Ground Terminal to a LEO satellite, tracking signals 106 times dimmer than the standard. This marks a breakthrough in portable optical communication, developed under a partnership with the U.S. Space Force's Space Development Agency. The terminal is compatible with various communication standards and addresses bottlenecks in space communication infrastructure, enabling enhanced capabilities for emerging space architectures.

Published Mar 25, 2026

X-lumin successfully demonstrated a roundtrip optical transmission between its 15cm Optical Ground Terminal (OGT) and a retroreflector-equipped LEO satellite. The terminal can track downlink signals that are 106 times dimmer than the standard.

AI-curated by Theia

This portable system, developed under a Direct to Phase Two SBIR with the U.S. Space Force, is modem-agnostic and interoperable with multiple standards. The achievement addresses bottlenecks in optical intersatellite links and is poised to support increased data demands projected to rise 3.5X in the next four years. X-lumin's technology aims to make optical communication more secure, higher capacity, and efficient than traditional RF systems.