The Dutch technology developers and producers Demcon and VDL Groep are bundling their activities for laser satellite communication in FSO Instruments. The establishment of this first technology company in the Netherlands for laser satellite communication builds on groundbreaking technology developed jointly by TNO, Demcon and VDL.
This fits in with the Dutch aim to occupy a position as world market leader for the serial production of high-quality FSO (free-space optics) instruments for laser satellite communication, for which there is concrete interest from American and European companies. Gus van der Feltz has been appointed director of the joint venture FSO Instruments.
In addition to the well-known radio technology, laser technology is emerging for communication in free space. This technology provides fast, secure connections between ground stations, satellites, airplanes and unmanned aerial vehicles. Laser satellite communication works by shaping and directing laser beams over great distances. This requires complex technology, optomechatronics, which uses adaptive optics to compensate for atmospheric disturbances.
Long-term collaboration
Demcon and VDL ETG, the high-tech cluster of VDL Groep, will jointly further develop the technology for laser satellite communication. Gerard van den Eijkel, director of Demcon Optomechatronica, and Hans Priem, business manager at VDL ETG, are the driving forces of the two companies. The two companies formalize their cooperation in the joint venture FSO Instruments, in order to take the step to the market together. “A lot has already happened on the institutional level, via TNO, now companies are on the move for industrialization,” says Van den Eijkel. “Our CEOs, Dennis Schipper and Willem van der Leegte, have found each other in a long-term partnership. It has been decided to bring together all relevant expertise for laser satellite communication from the companies.” The world is becoming increasingly complex and time-to-market is essential, explains Priem. “We believe that through this collaboration we can make more impact.”
Unique competences
TNO has been developing and building optical instruments for space and space travel for fifty years, in particular astronomy and earth observation, explains Kees Buijsrogge, director of TNO Space & Scientific Instrumentation. “We have gained a lot of experience in system design, accurate metrology and compensation for the disturbances that occur when you look through the atmosphere. Those competencies, altogether perhaps unique in the world, fit perfectly with laser satellite communication.”
TNO involved Dutch companies at an early stage, including Demcon and VDL ETG. “We build single units or at most a few systems, while for laser satellite communication there is a demand for hundreds or even thousands of units. That is the business for companies.” Priem: “TNO is good at developing concepts. We will develop this according to what the market wants, in terms of functionality, costs and reliability, including redesign-for-manufacturability and of course production.” This is happening, for example, in the Laser Satcom project, part of the National Growth Fund program NXTGEN HIGHTECH; Van den Eijkel and Priem have written a proposal for this.
