Relative Dynamics is excited to announce that we were selected by the United States Space Development Agency for developing a Ground Optical Communication Array Terminal (GOCArT). The key objective of the Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) 2022 Phase 1 award is to demonstrate an optical ground terminal architecture that allows for scaling the aperture size with modular optical elements.

Optical arrays can help reduced cost, mitigate atmospheric fading, and eliminate single point failures. High power optical amplifiers are distributed in the array and are combined at the distant receiver. This provides an alternative to costly large single apertures and a single amplifier more prone to optical damage.

This award builds on our existing relationship with U.S. Government in developing and advancing technologies here on earth and beyond.