Apolink makes contact with first relay satellite. TAMPA, Fla. - Apolink has made contact with its first satellite after launching on SpaceX's July 7 rideshare mission, clearing the way for a data relay demonstration using a novel experimental license from the Federal Communications Commission. "We've got a first-of-its-kind experimental license for S-band inter-satellite link operations from the FCC," Apolink CEO Onkar Batra told SpaceNews, enabling the IPoS-TDsM cubesat to receive signals from other satellites in low Earth orbit. The license clears the 3U cubesat to receive S-band signals from designated partner satellites on an unprotected and non-interference basis, before storing and forwarding them to approved ground stations. IPoS-TDsM, or Interoperability Protocol over Satellite - Technology Demonstration Mission, is designed to close low-power links at distances of up to about 150 kilometers during line-of-sight passes. Batra said the first conjunction windows are expected to open in July and continue through the end of November. "The idea is to receive data from a satellite that's already in orbit and has its own radios," he said. "Then, without knowing anything about the data, digitize and send it to the ground without losing the integrity of the signal, so we could basically act as a transparent relay layer." The capability could later enable operators to send and receive command-and-control signals for their satellites without waiting for a ground pass. Batra said Singapore-based NuSpace is the primary partner for the demonstration mission, using the NuLink-1 and NuLink-2 connectivity satellites that launched in May. The mission follows lab simulations and a test using an active beacon from NuLink-2. Batra said those tests helped validate the venture's ability to process signals from different transceivers, though IPoS-TDsM is designed to demonstrate that capability over the air for the first time. The California-based startup is seeking other backward-compatible partner satellites to test the technology, ahead of deploying a relay network involving 32 interconnected satellites. In February, Apolink partnered with Canada-based startup Galaxia on a satellite slated to launch in 2027 to help improve its in-orbit data relay technology. IPoS-TDsM was one of 81 payloads on a Falcon 9 that lifted off at 3:12 a.m. Eastern from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, to sun-synchronous orbit.

Space Compass forges optical satellite relay pact. Space Compass added a route to further develop optical data relay technology for satellites through an agreement with specialist Apolink and communications service provider JSAT International. The companies signed a memorandum of understanding covering various aspects of providing a link between geosynchronous and low Earth orbit satellites. Space Compass explained the agreement covers joint exploration of the "technical and business potential" of such connectivity and could pave the way for future collaboration between the three. It explained there are "complementary capabilities" between the companies and there would be an initial focus on interconnecting "Apolink's LEO data relay network" with its GEO equivalent. The goal is to develop a concept for relaying information between the two satellite types, though with a keen eye on whether there is money to be made and in which markets. JSAT International is a division of Sky Perfect JSAT, the company which helped establish joint venture Space Compass along with Japanese giant NTT. Apolink is a US-based space communications company. Space Compass explained it provides high-speed, low-latency LEO connectivity using a "hybrid RF and optical intersatellite link" architecture. Space Compass progressed its plan last month when it picked Swissto12 to construct the HummingSat spacecraft and earlier this year booked a deal with Airspan Networks covering 5G HAPS.

SKY Perfect JSAT: Apolink, Space Compass, and JSAT International sign MOU to explore multi-orbit optical data re... Published on 04/13/2026 at 02:16 am EDT Palo Alto, CA/Tokyo/Washington, DC - April 13, 2026 Apolink, Space Compass Corporation, and JSAT International Inc. announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to jointly explore the technical and commercial feasibility of multi-orbit optical data relay services. Under the MOU, the three companies will conduct a collaborative study on interconnectivity between Apolink's low Earth orbit (LEO) data relay network and Space Compass's GEO based optical data relay service. The study will focus on assessing potential concepts for LEO-GEO optical inter-satellite links, leveraging each party's complementary capabilities to be later introduced to the market. The MOU is non-binding and reflects the parties' shared intent to explore future cooperation, including possible demonstrations, subject to further evaluation and mutual agreement. About Apolink Apolink is a Palo Alto-based space communications company building a next generation data relay network designed to provide real-time, low latency connectivity for satellites in low Earth orbit. By enabling efficient data aggregation and relay through its hybrid RF-optical inter-satellite link (ISL) architecture, Apolink aims to support scalable and resilient space infrastructure for a wide range of applications. https://apolink.space About Space Compass Corporation Space Compass is a joint venture between NTT, a global Information and Communications Technology (ICT) company, and SKY Perfect JSAT Corporation, Asia's largest satellite operator. The company was established to develop the Space Integrated Computing Network, a new multi-orbital, optical communication-based independent space infrastructure designed to address social challenges. https://space-compass.com/en/ About JSAT International Inc. JSAT International Inc. is a wholly owned U.S. subsidiary of SKY Perfect JSAT Corporation, providing GEO satcom services across the Americas and APAC through its Horizons satellite fleet. Beyond satcom, the company serves as the JSAT Group's U.S. collaboration hub, supporting partnerships and strategic investment with innovative space startups and advancing the Group's expansion into multi-orbit connectivity, Earth observation, space situational awareness (SSA), and optical data relay. https://www.jsati.com/ This project is one of the initiatives of space business brand under NTT Group's "NTT C89" and SKY Perfect JSAT's "JSAT". Attachments * Original document * Permalink Disclaimer SKY Perfect JSAT Corporation published this content on April 13, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on April 13, 2026 at 06:15 UTC. (C) Publicnow - 2026