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International Women's Day Weaving Light: An Interview with Karen Hall on Next-Gen Satellite Communication
Date Announced: 07 Mar 2025
Since the dawn of time, weaving has been intrinsically linked to craftsmanship and precision – an art form deeply rooted in tradition and long associated with women’s ingenuity. So, it’s fitting that a woman is behind intermeshing fiber optics that power one of the most exciting photonics projects of 2025 in space communications. Karen Hall, Production Operator at G&H Torquay in the United Kingdom, played a key role in JAXA’s recent milestone: the world’s first optical inter-satellite transmission with a data transfer of 1.55 μm at a 1.8 Gbps speed. This was achieved between 2 satellites positioned at a 40,000 km distance from one another. We sat down with Karen to learn about her passion for photonics, explore her contributions to this Japanese space communications project, and see how she is celebrating female achievement through her engineering work. On International Women’s Day, we are taking the time to champion women in STEM and remind ourselves of their strength, brightness, and creativity. Q: How was it to work on such a prestigious project as the LUCAS system with NEC Space Technologies and JAXA? KH: Like a dream, really! The Laser Utilizing Communication System (LUCAS) is the optical communication system at the heart of the entire laser communication model. I was delighted to join the STG team within the larger NEC partnership. I wore various hats throughout the development of the communication systems. My role involved soldering key components like laser pumps, photodiodes, and D-Sub connectors, as well as working on laser looms, silicone coverage, and layer assemblies. I was also responsible for splicing the entire network and assembling the Erbium stage 1 and 2 assemblies, electronics, and the full-layers assemblies. It’s special to know that something I worked on with my own two hands is now up in space. Not only that, but it’s currently the most advanced optical communication system in the world – that’s an incredible feeling. The results reported by JAXAvalidate the precision and dedication we put into every project at G&H Torquay. Working alongside the professionals at NEC Space Technologies was an absolute highlight. Overall, this project was technically challenging, but I felt very proud of our achievement at the end. It made me realize how rewarding it is to contribute to a project that made space history. Q: What exciting new project is looming on the horizon for you? KH: Right now, I’m working on a project called “Repeater Amps” which focuses on undersea fiber optic networks at the bottom of the North Atlantic Ocean! More broadly, I’m very excited in general to be part of the Fiber Optics and Technology field. Our work enhances so many industries including healthcare, communications, aviation, and more. It’s amazing to see how advancements in fiber optics can drastically improve people’s lives. Q: Why is it important to celebrate women in STEM? KH: Women bring unique perspectives and problem-solving approaches to STEM. The more diverse, capable minds we have at the table, the more novel our solutions will be. That’s how innovation is born, especially in technical fields. For all women in STEM, my message on this International Women’s Day is: take those opportunities, embrace the challenges, and let your results speak for themselves. The technology we create today because you said “yes” to STEM is building a better world!Weaving Light: An Interview with Karen Hall on Next-Gen Satellite Communication
Contact
Brittany Ryan
Global Marketing & Communications Manager, G&H
+1 (216) 453-8616
bryan@gandh.com
E-mail: bryan@gandh.com
Web Site: https://gandh.com/news-and-resources/an-interview-with-karen-hall
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