Neptec  Design Group Ltd. Kanata
Optical  Communications – Pointing, Acquisition and Tracking Subsystem — Space-based  laser communication technologies offer significant reductions in size, mass and  power compared to other space-based telecommunications technology, while  increasing the capacity for high-speed, data-rich transmissions. This means  that incredibly data-intensive payloads can be flown on even smaller  spacecraft. Neptec will develop a prototype of a low-Earth-orbit-to-ground  optical communication pointing and tracking subsystem. The prototype will  provide critical insight into technical unknowns required to develop future  designs for the spacecraft needing an optical communications system (called a  space optical terminal) and for future Canadian Space Agency science satellite  projects.