The Access Space Alliance and the European Photonics Industry Consortium (EPIC) signed a collaboration agreement on March 2021, bringing together members and knowledge to better serve and strengthen the Photonics and New Space industries. The memorandum of understanding signature was publicly announced at the EPIC Online Technology Meeting on Quarterly Briefing on New Space Communications and Monitoring on 31 March 2021. The collaboration is focused on cooperative activities and advisory mandates with the aim of bringing cooperation and, ultimately, support the development of an efficient and sustainable industry.

The partnership will encourage cooperation between the members, including participation at events, collaboration on information exchange and promotion, and advisory mandates to develop an efficient and sustainable industry. Dr Jose Pozo, CTO of EPIC, said: “Having Access Space Alliance on board as a partner brings the opportunity to EPIC members to build potential collaborations and partnerships with the key players of the New Space industry. The main goal of this cooperation is to facilitate the communication between different parts of the value chain towards building common voice for the interests of companies using photonics technologies in the New Space sector.”

Harnessing the photonics ecosystem for New Space

In May 2020, the Access Space Alliance has formed the Free Space Optical Communications Committee (FSOCC) uniting leading companies in the field of space-based laser communications. “The partnership with EPIC is meant to facilitate collaboration between EPIC members and those of Access Space developing laser communication solutions and applications with a view to leverage existing supply chains,“ said Christian von der Ropp, Director and Co-Founder of the Access Space Alliance and chairman of FSOCC.

The Access Space Alliance is a non-profit association supporting and bringing together the New Space industry in Europe and beyond. Access Space seeks to bring together the small satellite sector and stakeholders to create dialogue and foster collaboration among innovating satellite companies and to address their key issues.

Links: ACCESS.SPACE ALLIANCE Ltd, London, United Kingdom • European Photonics Industry Consortium (EPIC), Paris, France