Physics
Free-Space Optical Communication for Inter-Satellite Links
Quick fact
Modern optical inter-satellite links can achieve data rates of several gigabits per second (Gbps), and experimental systems have reached hundreds of gigabits per second—far exceeding traditional radio frequency links.
Why this is interesting
Your internet connection might one day travel between satellites using beams of light. But how can a laser pointer send data across thousands of kilometres in space without a wire?