Current status of research and development on space laser communications technologies and future plans in NICT

The National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT) has successfully conducted several laser communication experiments between geostationary earth orbit (GEO) and low earth orbit (LEO) satellites and optical ground stations. To date other organizations have also conducted many space laser communication demonstrations worldwide and the time has come when space laser communications can be used as operational systems. The NICT has recently carried out the first-ever successful data transmission from a 50-kg class micro-satellite via laser communication links. This paper presents recent activities on space laser communications in the NICT including the organization´s future plans for next generation space laser communication research aiming to achieve 10 Gbps-class and 40 Gpbs-class laser communications at GEO and LEO distances.