M-FSM45-HPL selected by TAS for Feeder link of SOLiS
Thales Alenia Space has been selected by the French space agency CNES, as part of the space component of the France 2030 program launched by the French government, to develop a very-high-throughput laser communications demonstrator.
This project named SOLiS aims to demonstrate the technical and economic viability of such a secured optical communications service relying on geostationary satellites. As part of this effort, SOLiS will develop an optical communications payload and a pilot ground station for this demonstration.
For satellite-to-Earth pointing functions (i.e., feeder link), the SOLiS optical communication terminal will integrate a Point Ahead Mechanism (PAM) and a Fast Steering Mirror (FSM), both supplied by CEDRAT TECHNOLOGIES (CTEC). To meet this requirement, CTEC will further mature its M-FSM45-HPL, initially developed under the COOP program.
The M-FSM45-HPL is a magnetically actuated FSM offering an optical deflection angle greater than 10°. Its motion is precisely controlled by Eddy Current Sensors (ECS), while its high-performance mirror can withstand and steer laser beams with power levels exceeding 80 W.
Full specifications of the M-FSM45-HPL, are given in the product datasheet available on our website :
