Title:
BOLD – Broadband Optical Lunar Datalink
Agreement Number:
20STDPO02
Agreement Value:
$1,452,250.00
Agreement Date:
Nov 1, 2021 - Aug 31, 2023
Description:
There is currently a bottleneck in getting scientific and imagery data back to Earth from the Moon due to constraints in RF link capacity, itself dictated by the limited Size, Weight And Power (SWAP) of lunar landers. Optical links could provide two to three orders of magnitude higher bandwidth at reduced SWAP but require resilient designs to cope with the Moon’s rugged environment.
The BOLD project objective is to advance the Technology Readiness Level of optical lasercom terminals by validating the technology in Moon simulated environment to be used on lander platforms on the Moon surface. The BOLD technology would provide nominally 50 Mb/s, with peaks at up to 100 Mb/s, of data capacity representing a thousand-fold increase in data link capacity. It will allow satellite communication technologies developed for low earth orbit to reach the lunar surface and enable high-speed Internet communication directly from the Moon surface back to Earth.
Organization:
Canadian Space Agency
Expected Results:
The Research component of the program provides financial support to organizations to conduct space related research
and development in priority areas. It will support targeted knowledge development and innovation to sustain and enhance the Canadian capacity to use space to address national needs and priorities in the future.
Location:
Cambridge, Ontario, CA N1R 7H6
Reference Number:
003-2021-2022-Q3-00026
Agreement Type:
Contribution
Report Type:
Grants and Contributions
Recipient Type:
For-profit organization
Additional Information:
The amount allocated covers more than one fiscal year.
Amendment 1: changed end date
Amendment Date
Mar 22, 2022
Recipient's Legal Name:
COM DEV Ltd. d/b/a Honeywell Aerospace
Program:
Class Grant and Contribution Program to Support Research, Awareness and Learning in Space Science and Technology
Program Purpose:
This program supports knowledge development and innovation in the CSA's priority areas while increasing the awareness and participation of Canadians in space-related disciplines and activities.
The Research Component aims to support the development of science and technology; foster the continual development of a critical mass of researchers and highly qualified people in Canada; and support information gathering and space-related studies and research pertaining to Canadian Space Agency priorities.