WarpHub InterSat
A planned optical data relay network: small satellites in medium Earth orbit catch laser links from Earth-observation satellites and pass the data down, so imagery reaches customers in near real time.
Why it matters
Imaging satellites in low orbit can only dump data when they pass over a ground station, which delays pictures of disasters or greenhouse gas leaks. A relay that sits higher and sees both the imaging satellites and the ground for longer lets operators get more data down, sooner.
How the technology works
Relay satellites in medium Earth orbit act as hubs. A customer's satellite in low orbit sends data to a relay over an optical laser link, and the relay forwards it to ground stations.
Because a MEO satellite can see a ground station for much longer than a LEO one, data flows more continuously. In 2021 Warpspace said it planned to launch the network at the end of 2022 and start service in 2023.
Sources
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