Satellite optical communication systems seek to address the limitations of radio frequency communications. Laser communication allows for bandwidths unreachable with other wireless, long-distance communication technologies. Due to the narrow beam divergence, laser communications are secure, and further so when combined with Quantum Key Distribution. Moreover, the optical bands are licence-free compared to the overcrowded RF spectrum.
<!-- In recent years, the European Union has demonstrated a commitment to developing secure quantum communications, using satellite-based optical communication systems through the EuroQCI declaration. ESA member states also support the need to improve infrastructure capacities for optical communication, as declared in Resolution No 4 of the 2022 Council Meeting at Ministerial Level. -->
In Greece, an effort to establish a national network of optical ground stations was initiated recently. This has led to the kick-off of the “HellasQCI” project, co-funded by the European Commission and the Hellenic Republic. Three sites have been identified ass for the development of optical ground stations as part of “HellasQCI”, with one of them being the Holomondas Astronomical Station, owned by the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTh). Within HellasQCI, the Holomondas OGS is planned to operate as a permanent end node (HellasQCI-North), enabling Quantum Secure Communication from Thessaloniki to Athens and Heraklion in Greece or other sites in Europe.
<!-- Another station of the HellasQCI project, the Chelmos station has successfully demonstrated an optical link with the geostationary satellite AlphaSat. Under a separate activity, Chelmos is expected to be upgraded for LEO tracking and communication within 2024. -->
A dedicated space segment, designed to operate and evaluate the existing HellasQCI nodes would provide invaluable expertise to Greek OGS owners, operators and stakeholders, accelerating the development of HellasOCI and closing the loop of expertise development for satellite-based optical communications in Greece. A dedicated CubeSat mission, hosting an optical communications payload is an ideal platform for this venture.
The main purpose of the mission would be to demonstrate the OGS network’s capabilities to communicate with satellites in Low Earth Orbit, by successfully achieving an optical link with the Holomondas and Chelmos stations. However, it would also demonstrate the ability of Greek academia and industry for building and operating an end-to-end optical space communications system, which is instrumental for further advancing HellasQCI. Finally, the expertise gained by operating both the space and ground segments would pave the way for participation in future missions and advanced concepts, adding to Europe’s pool of expertise on satellite-based laser communications.
The mission envisioned to achieve these outcomes is PeakSat, a 3U CubeSat mission that will be designed and assembled at AUTh. The mission is centred around the demonstration of advanced optical communications technology for both downlink and uplink, using the CubeSat platform. PeakSat will be composed primarily of COTS components with the inclusion of some in-house components. These in-house components can be used to create a completely reusable platform for CubeSat-based optical communications in the future.
## Key Participants
The Principal Investigator of PeakSat is [Prof. Alkiviadis Hatzopoulos](https://ee.auth.gr/en/school/faculty-staff/electronics-computers-department/hatzopoulos-alkiviadis/) and the Co-PI is [Prof. Kleomenis Tsiganis](https://www.physics.auth.gr/en/people/13), responsible for the Holomondas OGS development. They are faculty members of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, in the Electronics Laboratory of the [School of Electrical and Computer Engineering](https://ee.auth.gr/) and the Section of Astrophysics, Astronomy & Mechanics of the [School of Physics](https://www.physics.auth.gr/en), respectively. The two sections have coordinated their efforts towards a research proposal for an Optical Communications CubeSat mission built and operated by AUTh. For PeakSat, the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki will collaborate with [Prisma Electronics SA](https://www.prismaelectronics.eu/index.php/en/), a hi-tech company based in Greece with space heritage.
-summary: AUTh kicks-off the "PeakSAT" project to advance optical satellite communication from Low Earth Orbit to the Cholomondas station, as part of the Greek CubeSats In-Orbit Validation Projects programme by ESA.
-description: The Aristotle University of Thessaloniki kicks-off the "PeakSAT" nanosatellite project to advance optical satellite communication from Low Earth Orbit to the Cholomondas station, as part of the _Greek CubeSats In-Orbit Validation Projects_ programme by the European Space Agency.
+summary: AUTh kicks-off the "PeakSat" project to advance optical satellite communication from Low Earth Orbit to the Cholomondas station, as part of the Greek CubeSats In-Orbit Validation Projects programme by ESA.
+description: The Aristotle University of Thessaloniki kicks-off the "PeakSat" nanosatellite project to advance optical satellite communication from Low Earth Orbit to the Cholomondas station, as part of the _Greek CubeSats In-Orbit Validation Projects_ programme by the European Space Agency.
-The Aristotle University of Thessaloniki takes another big step in expanding its space activities through the launch of the project for the construction and launch of the "PeakSAT" nanosatellite. Following a series of programmes in the space sector, the university will use existing infrastructure and expertise to develop state-of-the-art technologies through the new satellite.
+The Aristotle University of Thessaloniki takes another big step in expanding its space activities through the launch of the project for the construction and launch of the "PeakSat" nanosatellite. Following a series of programmes in the space sector, the university will use existing infrastructure and expertise to develop state-of-the-art technologies through the new satellite.
The mission is based on the Cholomondas optical satellite communications station in Taxiarchis, Halkidiki. The Cholomondas astronomical station, managed by the Department of Theoretical Mechanics of the School of Physics, has been selected to be one of the three nodes of the HellasQCI network. The aim of the network is to connect the metropolitan cities of Greece to a quantum communications network, part of the corresponding European EuroQCI network. The optical satellite communications station is under construction and when completed will perform optical links with satellite systems.
The SpaceDot research group of the Electronics Laboratory at the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering plays a key role in the implementation of the project. SpaceDot, through its participation in the European Space Agency's "Fly Your Satellite! 3" programme with the AcubeSAT nanosatellite, has nurtured students' skills in nanosatellite design and construction. SpaceDot has in recent years created an incubator of space-related engineers and scientists, with more than 60 active members today.
-The aim of the new PeakSAT nano-satellite is to demonstrate optical satellite links from Low Earth Orbit to the Cholomondas station. Optical satellite communications in these orbits is a field that is under continuous development and is becoming increasingly necessary in modern times. Optical signals can transfer significantly more data between space and ground compared to conventional radio networks, as the increased bandwidth and focused beams used can achieve substantial increases in data rate. On the other hand, there are objective challenges that this technology has to address. Achieving links at altitudes above 500km is extremely difficult, as it requires the optical terminal to be aligned with the lens of the base station while the satellite is moving at a speed of 8 km/second.
+The aim of the new PeakSat nano-satellite is to demonstrate optical satellite links from Low Earth Orbit to the Cholomondas station. Optical satellite communications in these orbits is a field that is under continuous development and is becoming increasingly necessary in modern times. Optical signals can transfer significantly more data between space and ground compared to conventional radio networks, as the increased bandwidth and focused beams used can achieve substantial increases in data rate. On the other hand, there are objective challenges that this technology has to address. Achieving links at altitudes above 500km is extremely difficult, as it requires the optical terminal to be aligned with the lens of the base station while the satellite is moving at a speed of 8 km/second.
Following the submission of the Aristotle University proposal, the consortium was accepted in March 2023 to participate in the _Greek CubeSats In-Orbit Validation Projects_ programme by the European Space Agency.
The kick-off of the new satellite development programme took place in April, and the project is currently in its fifth month.
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index 3c6eabd..76b6deb 100644
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+++ b/hugo.yaml
@@ -1,151 +1,151 @@
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-title: PeakSAT
+title: PeakSat
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moto: "A 3U Optical Communications Mission"
- description: "Started in 2023, PeakSAT is a 3U CubeSat mission designed in the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. It aims to demonstrate the capability of performing laser links with Optical Ground Stations in Greece, and to pave the way for a space-based quantum communications network."
+ description: "Started in 2023, PeakSat is a 3U CubeSat mission designed in the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. It aims to demonstrate the capability of performing laser links with Optical Ground Stations in Greece, and to pave the way for a space-based quantum communications network."
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heading: "Find us at TIF!"
image: "images/pages/event_1.jpg"
content:
- - text: "AcubeSAT and PeakSAT will be present at the Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF) from **9 to 17 September 2023**. Come visit us at the `akademia` pavilion **(Pavilion 14, AUTh stand)** to learn more about our missions and our projects."
+ - text: "AcubeSAT and PeakSat will be present at the Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF) from **9 to 17 September 2023**. Come visit us at the `akademia` pavilion **(Pavilion 14, AUTh stand)** to learn more about our missions and our projects."
- - text: "PeakSAT is a 3U CubeSat mission that is being designed and developed at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. The mission is centred around the demonstration of advanced optical communications technology for both downlink and uplink, using the CubeSat platform."
- - text: PeakSAT will be composed of COTS components, with the inclusion of some in-house developments and an optical terminal as a payload. The mission aims to achieve a 1 Gbps downlink at C-band and 100 Mbps uplink at L-band with the Holomondas Observatory in Halkidiki.
+ - text: "PeakSat is a 3U CubeSat mission that is being designed and developed at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. The mission is centred around the demonstration of advanced optical communications technology for both downlink and uplink, using the CubeSat platform."
+ - text: PeakSat will be composed of COTS components, with the inclusion of some in-house developments and an optical terminal as a payload. The mission aims to achieve a 1 Gbps downlink at C-band and 100 Mbps uplink at L-band with the Holomondas Observatory in Halkidiki.
Views expressed herein can in no way be taken to reflect the official opinion the European Union/European Commission/ESA/Greek Ministry of Digital Policy, Telecommunications and Media. Views and opinion expressed are those of the authors only and the European Union/European Commission/ESA/Greek Ministry of Digital Policy, Telecommunications and Media cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.
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Design based on <a href="https://github.com/nusserstudios/tailbliss" class="hover:underline hover:text-primary-600">TailBliss by <span class="font-light uppercase">NUSSER STUDIOS</span></a>.
- This website is <a href="https://phorge.peaksat.spacedot.gr/source/Website/" class="underline hover:text-primary-600">open source</a>!
+ This website is <a href="https://phorge.PeakSat.spacedot.gr/source/Website/" class="underline hover:text-primary-600">open source</a>!