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Space

CACI Demonstrates Optical Intersatellite Links for DARPA, SDA

By Rachel Jewett

Wednesday, May 18th, 2022

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CACI Demonstrates Optical Intersatellite Links for DARPA, SDA

Mandrake 2 spacecraft pre-launch. Photo: Astro Digital/via DARPA

CACI International Inc demonstrated space-to-space optical communications links in Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) as part of the Mandrake II mission. CACI announced the tests Tuesday, in partnership with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and the Space Development Agency (SDA). Mandrale II is a risk-reduction program for optical communication terminals for the upcoming Blackjack and SDA Transport and Tracking Layer constellations. SpaceX launched the two Mandrake II satellites in July 2021, equipped with CrossBeam free-space optical terminals developed by SA Photonics. CACI recently acquired SA Photonics.…

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