Mynaric
Overview
Mynaric is a commercial manufacturer of wireless laser communication equipment for applications in aerospace. The airborne and spaceborne communication networks on which this equipment is installed are known as constellations. Mynaric was founded in 2009 by former employees of the German Aerospace Center (DLR). In turn, many of Mynaric’s key technologies are licensed from DLR.
History
In November 2013, Mynaric were the first ones able to successfully demonstrate laser communication from a jet. The aircraft they mounted the system to was the Panavia Tornado. They were able to achieve a data rate of 1 Gbit/s over a distance of 60 km while maintaining a flight speed of 800 km/h.
In February 2018, Mynaric was honored by having their laser communication products inducted into the Space Technology Hall of Fame of the Space Foundation. In April 2018, Mynaric announced a partnership with CEA-Leti. They are working on highly sensitive avalanche photodiode technologies which have the possibility of enabling longer link distances and reducing overall system complexity. In June 2018, Facebook’s Connectivity Lab reported achieving a bidirectional 10 Gbit/s air-to-ground connection using Mynaric technologies.
In March 2019, former SpaceX Starlink VP Bulent Altan joined Mynaric’s management board and they were able to raise an additional $12.5 million funding from the top investor of an undisclosed satellite network. In October 2019, Mynaric showed proof that its products were attractive to the market when they delivered multiple laser communication flight terminals to an undisclosed customer, solidifying proof that the company’s products are attractive to the market.[1]
In October 2020, Mynaric was selected by Telesat to supply multiple units of its flagship CONDOR optical inter-satellite link terminals to DARPA’s Blackjack program. The terminals are scheduled to be delivered in mid-2021 with satellites scheduled to launch in the latter part of 2021. The launch will be the final test to ensure the operability of the CONDOR terminals. Mynaric has also made plans to set up a laser communication interoperability lab at its Los Angeles location. The lab is intended to serve as a hub and enabler for testing interoperability and to help establish a common laser communication standard. [2]
In September 2023 the CONDOR Mk3 successfully passed optical verification and the initial interoperability tests in alignment with the Space Development Agency’s (SDA) standards, confirming the terminal’s capability to work with third-party products.
The MK3s will be supplied to Northrop Grumman’s satellites for specific SDA programs, with an expectation of increasing quantities of the CONDOR Mk3 in the upcoming months. [3]
Spacelink
On May 12, 2021, Mynaric announced its new partnership with SpaceLink. Under the terms of this new partnership agreement, Mynaric will supply more than $20 million in laser communication products to SpaceLink including more than 40 Optical Inter-Satellite Link (OISL) and CONDOR terminals. This will ensure SpaceLink’s data relay network will continue to provide secure, high-capacity communications between LEO spacecraft and the ground.
In addition, the companies will also work together to expand Mynaric’s terminal portfolio by co-developing an OISL terminal compatible with the SDA Transport Layer and another terminal that can service satellites in MEO. SpaceLink and Mynaric also agreed to an option that would increase the number of terminals produced and delivered upon SpaceLink’s expansion of its MEO constellation. [3]
H3 HATS
Mynaric and H3 HATS have launched a joint demonstration campaign to showcase laser communication capabilities for high-altitude long endurance aircraft using industrialized OCTs (Optical Communication Terminals). The initial flight onboard one of H3 HATS’ aircraft demonstrated key performance criteria of Mynaric’s HAWK product, currently in pre-series production. This marks the world’s first successful demonstration of an industrialized OCT for airborne applications. Initial flights used two of Mynaric’s HAWK products for airborne laser communication to demonstrate air-to-ground links: one on the ground and one mounted in the fuselage payload bay of a G520NG aircraft. After being cleared by all relevant regulatory aviation authorities, the first flights of the campaign demonstrated stable bidirectional laser links with 10 Gbps speed between the aircraft and the terminal on the ground over various flight patterns.
The flight campaign uses a G520NG aircraft suited for manned or unmanned missions at high altitudes of up to 50,000 ft and for long periods of time. The addition of the HAWK optical communications terminal to the aircraft extends its capabilities with secure and undetectable high-speed communication particularly relevant for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), broadband provisioning and other missions from high altitudes. The HAWK OCT is designed for secure real-time broadband communication within a wide array of airborne applications and small size, weight and power (SWaP) requirements. The product is currently in pre-series production at Mynaric’s production facility that was inaugurated in June 2021. This new HAWK OCT is currently included in flight campaigns with customers and partners in Europe and the United States. [4]
Mynaric’s HAWK OCT integrated in the fuselage payload bay of the aircraft
Technologies
Related Links
https://spacenews.com/mynaric-raises-12-5-million-from-mystery-constellation-customer