우주 광통신 전문 스타트업 스페이스빔이 국내 최장 거리 지상 레이저 광통신 실증에 성공했다고 8일 밝혔다. 스페이스빔은 6일 경상북도 일대에서 수신부를 기준으로 각각 17km, 43km, 64km 떨어진 각 송신부와
n.news.naver.com
Spacebeam, a startup specializing in space optical communications, announced on the 8th that it has successfully demonstrated domestic record-breaking long-distance terrestrial laser optical communication.
On the 6th, Spacebeam successfully conducted long-distance laser optical communication tests in the Gyeongsangbuk-do region, linking a receiver to transmitters located
17km, 43km, and 64km away.
In particular, the company proved its world-class technical prowess by successfully implementing
real-time video streaming at a speed of approximately 1Gbps for about one minute over the maximum distance of 64km.
The received signal strength measured during the experiment was an average of
-20dBm at 64km, a result that demonstrates the ability to maintain stable communication quality even in long-distance environments. By moving beyond simple data transmission to successful real-time video streaming, the company has confirmed the potential for practical commercialization.
Terrestrial-based laser optical communication is notoriously difficult to implement due to environmental variables such as atmospheric turbulence, fine dust, air currents, and wind. Since atmospheric distortion is more severe closer to the earth's surface, establishing an optical link over a 64km terrestrial stretch is considered much more difficult—in terms of overcoming atmospheric effects—than communication between space and the ground.
Spacebeam applied precision control technology accumulated through years of astronomical observation experience to this experiment. The company overcame the limitations of
PAT (Pointing, Acquisition, and Tracking) technology—long considered the biggest challenge in long-distance wireless optical communication—with its proprietary precision control solution. Furthermore, Spacebeam is accelerating the development of
AO (Adaptive Optics) technology, which corrects optical signal distortion caused by atmospheric turbulence in real time.
Industry experts predict that the volume of data produced daily by satellites in Earth's orbit will eventually reach approximately 10,000 petabytes (PB). Consequently, global space powers and private enterprises are entering a fierce competition to secure space data transmission infrastructure. Against this backdrop, Spacebeam’s achievement is significant as it goes beyond a simple technical demonstration to suggest the feasibility of building a
"K-Space Data Highway."
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