[SatNews] Thales Alenia Space has launched the new European project HIPPO (High-Power Photonics for Satellite Laser Communications and On-Board Optical Processing), entailing the development of reliable and robust high-power photonic components for future satellite payloads.

Co-funded by the European Union, this R&D project is being conducted by prime contractor Gooch & Housego, in partnership with Thales Alenia Space, III-V lab, Constelex and Fiberware. The HIPPO project involves the design and development of a new family of high-power photonic components robust to space environment. They will be used for spaceborne telecommunications, to provide laser optical links for both inter-satellite and ground-satellite connections. These optical technologies will also be incorporated in telecom payloads to handle various processing duties, including optical frequency conversion, routing, optical channel processing, etc. In this three-year project, Thales Alenia Space is in charge of specifying and defining the application framework.
 
High-power optical components are one of the keys to the development of photonic payloads. By developing design and manufacturing expertise in this field, Europe will enhance its independence.
 
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