How it works
Kepler offers optical data relay, onboard computing and hosted payload infrastructure for space missions. It reported commercial first-tranche services in August 2026 following the January launch and commissioning. SDA-compatible optical terminals connect customers to an IP-based network. Advertised expansion toward higher coverage and 100 Gbps capacity belongs to follow-on spacecraft, with Rocket Lab confirming a dedicated launch no earlier than 2028. ESA’s HydRON award supports a separate interoperability demonstration programme.
Technical detail
Core features
- Commercial first-tranche optical relay services reported August 2026
- SDA-compatible optical links and IP networking