NESCA Awardee Projects

Prototype Development of an Optical PAT System for Low-Latency Satellite Networks

Project Lead: Christopher Graham
Institution: Durham University
Partner: ASTROGATE LABS UK LIMITED
Amount: £64,303
Theme: In Space Opportunities

Astrogate Labs is a fast-growing space start-up developing free-space optical communication terminals for small satellites and ground stations. Its new UK office at NETPark aims to expand the UK market and invest locally.

A flagship product, the AstroLink laser communication terminal, features a Fine Pointing System that tracks uplink data from ground stations. In this project, Astrogate Labs and the Centre for Advanced Instrumentation will develop a pointing, acquisition, and tracking (PAT) strategy to also monitor the downlink of this AstroLink commercial terminal, ensuring transmitter–receiver alignment remains unaffected after launch and during operation.

More about the Project Lead:
Christopher Graham is a Postdoctoral Research Associate (PDRA) at Durham University’s Centre for Advanced Instrumentation (CfAI), with a main research interest in novel optical instrumentation.  With CfAI’s Precision Optics Laboratory, he has developed compact UAV based hyperspectral imagers using freeform metal optics for remote sensing applications. He is working with CfAI’s bio-photonics lab to translate this technology to medical wound and disease monitoring.

Chris also has strong interest in developing free space optical communications technology. He has worked as part of the ALIGN project, designing and testing the pointing, acquisition and tracking system for a CubeSat based intersatellite link terminal, and is currently working on the ReQON project to develop a deployable optical ground station. With this NESCA funding, he is working with Astrogate Labs to create a robust, compact satellite communications terminal for small satellites.