The CONDOR Mk3 is an Optical Communications Terminal (OCT) designed for high-bandwidth, secure, and cost-efficient inter-satellite communications in LEO constellations.
CONDOR Mk3
The CONDOR Mk3 is an Optical Communications Terminal (OCT) designed for high-bandwidth, secure, and cost-efficient inter-satellite communications in LEO constellations.
Description
The CONDOR Mk3 is an Optical Communications Terminal (OCT) built to meet the increasing demand for high-bandwidth, secure, license-free, and cost-efficient satellite communications for next-generation constellations. This versatile terminal enables both intra-plane and cross-plane inter-satellite connectivity in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) for various applications. It is the successor to Mynaric’s CONDOR Mk2 terminal, maintaining full compliance with the Space Development Agency’s (SDA) standards for Tranche 0 and Tranche 1 of the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture, but with significantly reduced size, weight, and power consumption (SWaP). Utilizing best-in-class design concepts and optimized for scaled deployment within satellite constellations, the CONDOR Mk3 delivers unprecedented wireless communication speeds for long-distance inter-satellite links. Its laser communications technology ensures ultra-secure communication with a low probability of detection or interception, and it can be used without requiring frequency coordination with regulatory authorities. Operational features include fast link acquisition due to a large field of view, a configurable modem supporting various data rates, and a modularized design allowing multiple Optical Heads (OH) to operate with an Optical Communications Controller (OCC). It is designed to withstand high micro-vibration environments and extended temperature ranges. Upcoming features include higher link performance, variable data rates up to 10 Gbps, expanded modularity, additional client data interfaces such as optical, and full OpenVPX compatibility.
Specifications
| Data rate | 0.313 to 2.5 Gbps |
|---|---|
| Comment | Fully compliant with SDA’s OCT Standard T0/T1 10 Gbps option available now, 100 Gbps option Q1 2025 |
| Link distance | Larger than 6,500 km |
| Comment (2) | Fully compliant with SDA’s OCT Standard T0/T1 |
| Field of regard azimuth | -175⁰ to +175⁰ |
| Field of regard elevation | -55° to +85⁰ |
| Comment (3) | Hyper-hemispherical |
| Aperture diameter | 80 mm |
| Comment (tx) | Diffraction limited diameter of the single Tx/Rx aperture |
| Operational wavelength | 1553.33/1536.61 nm band |
| Comment (tx) (Tx) | Separate band for Tx and Rx |
| Optical tx power | 4 W |
| Comment (6) | At end of life |
| Dimensions (h x w x l) optical head | 370 mm x 270 mm x 270 mm |
| Dimensions (h x w x l) dualocc | 128 mm x 190 mm x 230 mm |
| Dimensions (h x w x l) quadocc | 158 mm x170 mm x 205 mm |
| Comment (max) | Maximum static envelope 1 or 2 Optical Head configuration 3 or 4 Optical Head configuration |
| Supply voltage | 22 V – 38 V (DC) |
| Design life | 5 years in LEO |
| Comment (8) | Mission dependent |
