A team of Chinese scientists has announced a significant advancement in bio-communication devices that leverage satellites for internet connectivity, paving the way for the development of 6G (sixth-generation) communication networks.
When installed on a satellite, this device can transmit optical signals from one location to another without converting them into electrical signals, operating similarly to a mirror.
The Chinese Academy of Sciences confirmed that tests on this device were successful in space after a rocket launch last August. This marks the first time in China that such a device has been tested on a satellite.
According to a research paper detailed by the online news site “South China Morning Post”, the device can support a switching capacity of up to 40 gigabits per second. This represents a substantial improvement over traditional switching technology.
Despite the recent progress by the Chinese team, the report cites researchers emphasizing that there’s still a long way to go before this technology becomes readily available in the market.
Particularly, the Chinese market remains behind the United States, which controls some essential components and materials.
Last September, China successfully launched its latest remote-sensing satellite into space from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwestern China.
According to the Chinese news agency Xinhua, the satellite named Yaoqiang-33 04 was launched aboard a Long March-4C carrier rocket and entered its designated orbit.
This satellite will be used for scientific experiments, land resource surveys, crop yield estimation, disaster prevention, and relief efforts.
This mission marked the 489th launch in the Long March carrier rocket series, highlighting the country‘s ongoing commitment to space exploration and satellite technology.
