Until 2021, optical communications with Aerospace Corp. AeroCubes were handled by a single, manually operated terminal located in El Segundo, CA. To address weather and cost challenges, Aerospace installed two remote optical ground terminals in Maui and Albuquerque (pictured).

The Aerospace Corp. is establishing a network of remotely operated optical communications terminals to support existing and future small satellite missions.

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Debra Werner is a correspondent for SpaceNews based in San Francisco. Debra earned a bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of California, Berkeley, and a master’s degree in Journalism from Northwestern University. She is a recipient...