ALIGN

Here at Northumbria University, we are advancing world-leading technology to develop the UKs first commercially available autonomous, laser-based, inter-satellite communications system.

The Autonomous Laser Intersatellite Gigabit Network (ALIGN) project has currently been awarded over £5 million in total from funders including the UK Space Agency. This has enabled us to develop, build and test our laser systems, including the integration of small but powerful satellites, known as CubeSats.

CubeSats use lasers to transmit 1,000 times more data per second then those satellites which use traditional radio transmitters, and do so in a more secure way.

Our expert researchers and academics lead this research, working in partnership with Durham University’s Centre for Advanced Instrumentation, satellite communications technology company Telespazio and telecoms and electronics manufacturing company SMS Electronics Limited.