Connecting orbits: RSCC and STC conducted an experiment on inter-satellite data transmission

The Russian satellite operator RSCC, together with the system developer STC, successfully conducted an experiment in transmitting information via satellite on geostationary orbit. During the tests, the small spacecraft CSTP-2.11 on low Earth orbit (LEO) conducted a communication session via geostationary satellite of the Express series. The experiment proved that small spacecraft, which were traditionally considered limited in functionality, can effectively use the infrastructure of heavy geostationary satellites for prompt data delivery to Earth.

The communication channel was organized in Ka-band with the data transfer rate from the CSTP-2.11 satellite about 0.5 Mbit/s. The use of compact on-board equipment, typical for small spacecraft, made it possible to achieve stable connection and confirm the effectiveness of the applied technical solutions.

The technology of inter-satellite data transmission opens up fundamentally new perspectives for operators of small spacecraft.

"The organization of communication channels using satellites in different orbits for retransmission does not require the deployment of additional ground infrastructure around the world. We believe that the results of this experiment are an important step in the joint service development for operators of different satellite constellations," said Alexey Volin, General Director of the RSCC.