John Mackey, CEO and co‑founder of Mbryonics, explains that the company is working on optical terminals capable of establishing high‑speed links between spacecraft, ground stations and lunar habitats.
Why optical links matter
Traditional radio frequency systems face limits in bandwidth and are prone to interference, whereas laser communications can deliver gigabit‑per‑second data rates with smaller antennas and lower power consumption.
- Mbryonics aims to produce plug‑and‑play optical modems that can be integrated into existing satellite buses.
- The technology would enable real‑time data relay for Earth observation, scientific missions and future crewed outposts.
Challenges and standards
Besides technical alignment, issues of interoperability, protocol compatibility and space traffic regulation must be addressed. Industry and government bodies are working on common standards to allow different systems to operate together seamlessly.
According to Mackey, a demonstrator mission could launch as early as 2026, testing cross‑link capabilities between low‑Earth‑orbit platforms and a geostationary node. Successful trials would pave the way for a scalable “space internet” that connects commercial constellations, government assets and exploratory probes under a common protocol.