Earth-bound lasers sending data to orbiting satellites will increase communication speeds with space 1,000-fold, researchers have said.

A team from the University of Western Australia (UWA) has developed TeraNet – a network of optical ground stations specialising in high-speed space communications. The network received laser signals from OSIRISv1, a laser communication payload aboard a German satellite developed by the University of Stuttgart.

The signals were detected using two of the TeraNet optical ground stations during fly-bys of the satellite last Thursday.

“This demonstration is the critical first step in establishing a next-generation space communications network across Western Australia,” said Sascha Schediwy, associate professor at UWA. “The next steps include joining this network to other optical ground stations currently being developed in Australia and across the world.”

The TeraNet ground stations use lasers, instead of traditional wireless radio signals, to transfer data...