First-ever gigabit-per-second laser link between an aircraft in flight and a satellite in geostationary orbit

https://techxplore.com/news/2026-03-world-gigabit-laser-link-aircraft.html

"lighter/ more power-efficient UltraAir laser terminal mounted on Dassault Falcon 20 research aircraft locked onto laser beam from Alphasat satellite, located 22,400 mile above Earth... 2.6 Gb transmitted every minute, fast enough to download HD movie in minutes while in flight... maintained laser connection across 36,000 km despite aircraft vibrations, high-speed movement, cloud/ air density shifts... laser beams highly directional/ difficult to eavesdrop or jam... military/ commercial aviation, broadband in the sky"