LaCE (Laser Crosslink Experiment), also called CBAS-LCE A, B (CubeSat Based Laser Crosslink Experiment), are two experimental laser communications 6U CubeSats developed by the US Navy's Naval Information Warfare Command (NIWC) Pacific and sponsored by the Missile Defense Agency (MDA).
The mission further experimentation on optical links for CubeSats. A research and development engineering team is working on proposals for experimentation with Laser CubeSat communications. The LaCE program consists of two Pumpkin Space Systems Supernove 6U CubeSats and a single, standalone test ground station. The experiment aims to connect the two satellites in a peer-to-peer optical laser network connection and communicate to the ground station using radio frequency (RF). The LaCE design integrates various subsystems for handling commands, telemetry, power, control, payloads, and ground station 16 communication. The mission seeks primarily to demonstrate an optical laser communication crosslink capability on a small scale.
| Nation: | USA |
|---|---|
| Type / Application: | Technology |
| Operator: | US Navy Naval Information Warfare Command (NIWC) Pacific |
| Contractors: | US Navy Naval Information Warfare Command (NIWC) Pacific, Pumpkin Space Systems (bus) |
| Equipment: | |
| Configuration: | CubeSat (6U) |
| Propulsion: | |
| Power: | Solar cells, batteries |
| Lifetime: | 1 year |
| Mass: | |
| Orbit: |
