Welcome to the VOLT Experimenter Support Platform!¶

This platform is your gateway to the cutting-edge VOLT mission - a testbed for optical and quantum communication technologies orbiting Earth.

Payload of the VOLT mission¶

Join communications revolution:¶

• Experiment with high-bandwidth laser links and unlock ultrafast data transmission between space and Earth.
• Test the groundbreaking potential of quantum key distribution (QKD) for ultra-secure communication in space.
• Contribute to the development of innovative technologies that will shape the future of communications.

This platform is your one-stop shop for:¶

• Registering your experiment: Submit proposals, get approved and test your experiment
• Accessing essential resources: Explore comprehensive documentation, tutorials, and tools to design and execute your experiment.
• Connecting with the community: Network with other experimenters, share knowledge, and collaborate on groundbreaking projects.
• Keeping up-to-date: Get the latest news about the mission, platform updates, and upcoming opportunities.

Experimenter Selection Criteria for the VOLT Satellite¶

The VOLT mission welcomes participation from a diverse range of experimenters, including:

• Established space companies and government organizations: Seeking to validate new standards or technologies relevant to high-speed, secure optical communication infrastructure.
• Research institutions and universities: Contributing to advancements in optical communication research and development.
• Entrepreneurs and startups: Bringing innovative ideas and approaches to the field of satellite communication.

Key Selection Criteria¶

• Alignment with VOLT Objectives: Proposals should align with the VOLT mission goals of building a unified, high-speed, and secure optical communication infrastructure. This includes experiments focusing on:

• Investigating innovative solutions for high-speed data transmission using the VOLT satellite, including:
  • Free-space optical links between satellites and ground stations.
  • Advanced modulation formats and coding techniques for increased capacity and resilience.
• Contributing to the development of seamless interoperability between VOLT and existing terrestrial optical networks and optical ground stations.

• Experimenter Expertise: Teams should exhibit relevant expertise in their proposed area of experimentation, with a clear plan for execution and analysis.

• Potential Impact: Projects should have the potential to contribute significantly to the advancement of optical communication technologies and the success of the VOLT mission.

VOLT Payload Options:¶

The VOLT satellite offers three distinct payload options for experimentation:

• Classical Optical Payload: Experiment with established laser communication technologies for high-bandwidth data transmission using an reconfigurable FPGA transceiver module.
• Quantum Optical Communications Payload: Explore groundbreaking advancements in quantum key distribution (QKD) for ultra-secure communication.
• Hyperspectral Imager: Utilize a state-of-the-art imager to gather unique data for environmental monitoring, resource management, and other applications.

For more specific information about the payload: Payload of the VOLT mission.¶

Current project schedule of the VOLT misssion¶

• July 2023: Kick-Off
• Aug 2023: Design Phase (Current Phase)
• Jun 2024: Build Phase
• Dec 2024: Testing & Integration
• Mar 2026: Launch
• Jun 2026: Initial Operations
• Dec 2026: Experimenter Online

Early-Phase Involvement Focus:¶

As the VOLT satellite is currently in its initial development phase, the current selection process will prioritize proposals focusing on:

• Standard and Design Development: Contributing to the definition and development of standards, protocols, and interfaces for the VOLT infrastructure.
• Technology Evaluation and Integration: Evaluating and integrating cutting-edge optical communication technologies into the VOLT satellite design.
• Operational Concept Development: Defining and refining the operational procedures and strategies for the VOLT system.

While experimentation opportunities will eventually encompass a broader range of activities, the initial phase focuses on building a strong foundation for the mission's success.

Join the VOLT Journey:

We encourage innovative and passionate individuals and organizations to apply and contribute to the VOLT mission.

How to become an experimenter?¶

In order to get full access, a registration is required. To become an experimenter,
please contact us at : volt-experimenter-support@esa.int

Contact¶

For any questions please contact us at : volt-experimenter-support@esa.int