UK armed forces aims for secure comms via optical satellite links

The UK is advancing secure military communications through optical satellite links, with field trials conducted by the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) using Archangel Lightworks' TERRA-M system. The portable system achieved high-speed data downloads from LEO satellites and is designed for rapid deployment, with potential future terabit-per-second capabilities. The US Space Force also awarded a $2.29 billion contract to SpaceX for a LEO satellite network.