Honor where honor is due: The laser terminals of Mynaric, a spin-off of the German Aerospace Center (DLR), are being inducted into the Space Technology Hall of Fame.
"The award from the US Space Foundation is a great honor for us. DLR technologies, which were used and further developed by Mynaric, are thus receiving high international recognition. These technologies and their transfer are a good example of aerospace's contributions to digitalization,"
said Professor Pascale Ehrenfreund, Chairwoman of the DLR Executive Board.
Internet above the clouds
The DLR Institute of Communications and Navigation has been actively researching laser communication systems for many years and plays a leading international role in the development and testing of such systems.
"Our institute has been able to demonstrate many things for the first time. (...) Our scientists have repeatedly been able to lay the foundations for new technological developments."
reported Professor Christoph Günther, Director of the DLR Institute of Communications and Navigation. Laser communication significantly increases transmission rates, as more than 1,000 times more spectrum is available. The high concentration of light means that a large portion of it reaches the receiver. This significantly increases efficiency compared to radio waves.
"We are currently experiencing a transformation in telecommunications infrastructure, and laser communication is being touted as a key technology, equivalent to fiber optics for data transmission in the air. With our products, we see ourselves as ideally positioned to establish ourselves as one of the market leaders for the Internet above the clouds."
so Mynaric board Dr. Wolfram Peschko.
Mynaric is inducted into the Hall of Fame
Under the heading "Laser Terminals for the skies and beyond," Mynaric's laser communication products are being inducted into the "Space Technology Hall of Fame." Some key technologies for these products were licensed from DLR. Inductions into the Hall of Fame annually recognize technologies originally developed for aerospace engineering that have found practical application as market-ready products—particularly when they improve people's quality of life. Both individuals and organizations are recognized for this award. The prize was established in 1988 by the Space Foundation, a Colorado-based nonprofit organization supporting the exploration and use of space, in collaboration with the American space agency NASA.
“We are delighted that the Space Foundation is inducting this collaborative effort of consistent research, transfer, and bold entrepreneurial spirit into the Space Technology Hall of Fame,”
so Dr. Rolf-Dieter Fischer, Head of DLR Technology Marketing.
The official award ceremony will take place on April 19, 2018, at the Space Symposium in Colorado Springs.
