- Honeywell and Aegiq sign a memorandum of understanding to develop a solution combining Honeywell’s atmospheric sensing technology with Aegiq’s emulation toolkit for small satellites.
- The collaboration aims to provide more accurate and real-time atmospheric data, enhancing the efficiency of optical communication in satellites.
September 29, 2023, LONDON – In a significant move for the aerospace industry, Honeywell (NASDAQ: HON) and Aegiq, a leading quantum networking and computing firm, have announced a collaboration to revolutionize the design and deployment of space payloads and related ground assets. The partnership will merge Honeywell’s state-of-the-art atmospheric sensing technology with Aegiq’s emulation toolkit, specifically designed for the performance of optical communication technologies utilized by small satellites.
Maksym Sich, CEO of Aegiq, commented on the collaboration, stating, “A solution that utilizes our expertise blends two proven technologies to enable precise evaluation of secure optical communication links within real-time atmospheric conditions producing critical information for system design and cost analyses.”
Aegiq’s Atlas toolkit, renowned for simulating the performance of free-space optical and quantum communication networks, will be combined with Honeywell’s high-altitude LiDAR atmospheric sensing (HALAS). The HALAS system, a ground-based weather information mechanism, offers near-instantaneous, high-altitude atmospheric measurements, surpassing the accuracy of data from traditional weather balloons at altitudes beyond 100,000 feet.
With the unpredictable nature of weather balloons, HALAS provides a unique advantage, allowing users to specify and adjust the exact atmospheric location where weather data is required.
Research from McKinsey & Company indicates a steady growth in satellite communications, with an annual increase of approximately 15% since 2017. By 2030, projections suggest the launch of up to 65,000 new communications satellites and an additional 3,000 non-communications satellites. The Honeywell-Aegiq solution seeks to address the current inefficiencies in weather-monitoring by integrating real-time atmospheric data from HALAS. This integration will enable operators to swiftly and accurately evaluate data rates and quantum key rates, ensuring precise communication between ground stations and satellites.
Matt Wiebold, offering management director for HALAS at Honeywell Aerospace, shared his perspective, “The data from our solution can inform the design and launch of satellites and ground operations, helping customers reduce operational costs while also reducing unsuccessful missions caused by marginal weather conditions. We look forward to working with the team at Aegiq, and their quantum technology competence, to deliver this unique capability.”
As part of their collaboration, Honeywell and Aegiq are set to define a product development roadmap, taking into account customer feedback and potential product developments in optical communication, networking, and sensing for both space and ground segments.
