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October 27th, 2014

Laser Communications Symposium 2014: The Current State Of The SpaceDataHighway, Hopefully No Pot Holes


[SatNews] The symposium will focus on soon-to-be available innovative laser technology that will revolutionize how geospatial data and information is managed on spaceborne and airborne platforms.

The Earth Observation Industry Alliance (EOIA), Airbus Defense and Space and General Atomics invite you to attend this year's Stakeholder Symposium. 

The symposium will focus on soon-to-be available innovative laser technology that will revolutionize how geospatial data and information is managed on spaceborne and airborne platforms. In the near future, airborne and spaceborne Laser Communications Terminals (LCTs) will provide remote sensing missions (ISR, weather, disaster response), defense, robotic, manned and unmanned space and airborne communities faster data transmission as well as larger data volume and tasking capabilities. Laser relays will reduce system response time (latency, reactivity) and disruption to a level where near-real-time geospatial data delivery capabilities will become a reality on a global scale.

The Stakeholder Symposium will provide an overview of the current status of the SpaceDataHighway and other technologies along with deployment schedules. The conference is an effort to forge collaboration between the diverse segments of the space, aerospace and geospatial intelligence industries and discuss related opportunities for Business-to-Business and Business-to-Government collaboration and partnerships. The symposium is intended to provide a forum to explore ways industry can work together to harness this disruptive capability for the benefit of the community.


European Data Relay System (EDRS) Space Data Highway

Among the confirmed and invited speakers are:

Morio Toyoshima, Japan Space Communication Systems Laboratory, Wireless Network Research Institute, Japan National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT)
Gil Klinger, Special Advisor, National Reconnaissance Office
David Robie, Director-Electro Optic Systems, Mission Systems, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc.
Herwig Zech, TESAT Spacecom, Senior Project Manager Optical Space Communication Systems
Dennis Jones, President, Earth Observation Industry Alliance
Simon Drygalla, Liaison Officer to U.S. Missile Defense Agency, Federal Republic of Germany
Akos Hegyi, Head of EDRS European Data Relay Satellite Services, Airbus Defense and Space
Thornton (Bill) Wilt, Director, Earth Observation Industry Alliance

Symposium Schedule:

November 4, 2014: 11:30 a.m. - 05:00 p.m. (followed by a Networking Reception)

Registration, Welcome Coffee & Light Buffet
Welcome and Introduction
Opening Presentation: The importance of space-based laser communications and data relay systems
Introduction to Laser Communications: “The Future is Now in Space-Based Lasercomm”
Overview of Current and Future NASA Laser Communication Programs
SpaceDataHighway - Ready for Prime Time
Space-Based Laser Communications Meeting War Fighter Requirements
Airborne Laser ISR Capability
Tech Panel: The Technology and the Terminals
Policy Panel: Impact of Lasercomm on current Regulatory Regimes and the need for international cooperation on Policy”
Japan’s Activities on Space Laser Communications

November 5, 2014: 08:30am - 12:30pm

Welcome & Introduction to the Breakout Sessions-
Breakout Sessions Round 1: Breakout A: Airborne User Platforms; Breakout B: Spaceborne User Platforms
Breakout Sessions Round 2: Breakout C: EDRS Node D & GlobeNet; Breakout D: Integration of Lasercomm into Current DISN
Networking Break
Wrap-up / Conclusion

The symposium will be held at the Hilton Los Angeles Airport, 5711 West Century Boulevard, Los Angeles, California, 90045.

For more information, please visit the EOIA infosite