PULSE-A Spacecraft - Nanosats Database

Name	PULSE-A (Polarization modUlated Laser Satellite Experiment)
Form factor	CubeSat
Units or mass	2U
Status	not launched, expected in 2027
Launcher	not launched
Entity name	University of Chicago
Institution	University
Entity	Academic / Education
Country	US
Oneliner	Demonstrate a way to increase the speed of space-to-ground communications.
Description	Demonstrate a way to increase the speed of space-to-ground communications. PULSE-A also aims to make space-to-ground operations more difficult to intercept and jam through an on-orbit tech demonstration. PULSE-A will use 10 Mbps polarization-keyed laser communications instead of radio frequency for a space to Earth call. Free-space optical communications improves on power, bandwidth, and effective data transfer rates over radio frequency. Its science mission is to demonstrate space-to-ground optical communication at data rates of 1–10 Mbps. This will serve as a proof of concept for future higher-bandwidth optical downlinks. The project also focuses on student training and outreach through hands-on experience in satellite engineering and radio communications. PULSE-A's ground station serves not only as the communication hub for the mission but also as a shared resource for future CubeSats, RF experiments, and educational community initiatives. Specifically, the PULSE-A project is serving as a catalyst for re activation of our currently dormant campus amateur radio club, by bringing together student Amateurs around a specific goal.
Notes
Sources	[1] [2] [3] [4]
Photo sources	[1] [2]
Keywords	Laser transmitter

Last modified: 2025-12-29