|
The Dutch technology developers and manufacturers Demcon and VDL Groep are combining their activities for laser satellite communication in FSO Instruments. The establishment of this first technology company in the Netherlands for laser satellite communication builds on groundbreaking technology developed by TNO in collaboration with companies, including Demcon and VDL. This aligns with the Dutch ambition to establish a position as a global market leader for the series production of high-quality FSO (free-space optics) instruments for laser satellite communication, for which there is concrete interest from American and European companies. Gus van der Feltz has been appointed as the director of the joint venture FSO Instruments.
For communication in free space, alongside the well-known radio technology, laser technology is emerging. This technology provides fast, secure connections between ground stations, satellites, aircraft, and unmanned aerial vehicles. Laser satellite communication operates by forming and directing laser beams over long distances. This requires complex technology, optomechatronics, which uses adaptive optics to compensate for atmospheric disturbances.
Demcon and VDL ETG, the high-tech cluster of VDL Groep, are jointly further developing the technology for laser satellite communication. From the two companies, Gerard van den Eijkel, director of Demcon optomechatronics, and Hans Priem, business manager at VDL ETG, are the driving forces. The two enterprises formalize their collaboration in the joint venture FSO Instruments, thereby taking the step to the market together. “A lot has already happened via TNO, now companies are up for industrialization,” explains Van den Eijkel. “Our CEOs, Dennis Schipper and Willem van der Leegte, have found each other in a long-term collaboration. It has been decided to bring together all relevant expertise for laser satellite communication from the companies.” The world is becoming increasingly complex and time-to-market is essential in this, Priem explains. “We believe that through this collaboration we can make more impact.”
TNO has been developing and building optical instrumentation for space(flight) for fifty years, mainly in astronomy and Earth observation, explains Kees Buijsrogge, director of Space & Scientific Instrumentation at TNO. “We have gained a lot of experience with system design, precise metrology, and compensation for disturbances that occur when looking through the atmosphere. These competencies, all combined perhaps uniquely in the world, fit perfectly with laser satellite communication.” Early on, TNO involved Dutch companies, including Demcon and VDL ETG. “We build single units or at most a few systems, whereas the demand for laser satellite communication calls for hundreds or even thousands of units. That is the business for companies.” Priem: “TNO is good at developing concepts. We then work those out into what the market wants, in terms of functionality, costs, and reliability, including redesign-for-manufacturability and, of course, production.” This is happening, for example, in the Laser Satcom project, part of the National Growth Fund program NXTGEN HIGHTECH; Van den Eijkel and Priem have written a proposal for this.
FSO Instruments will further develop TNO's concepts and commercialize the technology. Van den Eijkel states: “Ultimately, FSO will introduce products that space-qualified. To do this, it is building a network of first-line partners within our country. Demcon and VDL ETG Almelo will play a prominent role in this.” This is new for the Netherlands and also for the international space industry. There is already European and American interest.
In preparation for the establishment of FSO Instruments, aircraft manufacturer Airbus formed a partnership with VDL ETG last autumn to develop and produce laser communication terminals for aircraft. Priem sees opportunities not only in initial military applications but also in the commercial market, including providing internet and data bandwidth in aircraft. The challenge is to further develop these markets. FSO Instruments will do this under the leadership of Gus van der Feltz, who was recently appointed director. The team will be supplemented with system architects, senior engineers, and business developers, some of whom come from Demcon, VDL ETG, and also TNO. Operating with Demcon and VDL Groep as shareholders, FSO Instruments, ‘powered by TNO’, is based in Delft.
TNO welcomes the collaboration between Demcon and VDL Groep, says Tjark Tjin-A-Tsoi, chairman of the board and CEO of TNO. “Our ambition is to build a European ecosystem for rapid and secure laser satellite communication with a strong Dutch contribution that the world cannot ignore. FSO Instruments as a joint venture of Demcon and VDL Groep is a perfect example of that.” TNO continues to collaborate on projects, adds TNO’er Buijsrogge. “Moreover, some of our system engineers are joining FSO to help accelerate development.” The commercial launch of FSO Instruments, the first technology company for laser satellite communication in the Netherlands, is a milestone but not an end point for TNO, emphasizes Tjin-A-Tsoi. Based on the organisation's mission – working on societal challenges and strengthening the Dutch economy – TNO remains active in this field. “Together with companies, we are developing the next generation of systems for laser satellite communication in Growth Fund projects.”
Director Dennis Schipper of Demcon emphasizes the necessity of the joint venture his company is entering into with VDL. “For our companies, it is a new market with new risks. We will develop this new market together and combine our competencies to achieve the best results and limit the risks. It fits within our mission of ‘creating shared value’ through the development of technology to solve societal problems, in this case the need for fast, safe, and reliable communication. We anticipate making an important contribution to this with FSO Instruments.”
President-director Willem van der Leegte of VDL Groep is also convinced of the importance of this step. “To build the knowledge needed for improved products and technologies, and to formulate solutions to the societal transitions of today and tomorrow, VDL Groep invests heavily in research & development. Collaboration, technological expertise, and a strong foundation of mutual trust are key drivers to accelerate innovation. The ambitions of FSO Instruments are a good example of this. By jointly investing in commercial space activities, we increase the chances of success. A fantastic opportunity for us all.”
FSO Instruments, based in Delft, is the joint venture of Demcon and VDL Groep. The company develops, manufactures, and supplies high-quality instruments for free-space optics (FSO), particularly products for laser satellite communication. FSO Instruments builds on the innovative technology developed by TNO and brought to maturity in collaboration with Demcon and VDL ETG. A core team of system architects, senior engineers, and business developers works closely with Demcon, VDL ETG, TNO, and specialized suppliers.
Demcon (1,000+ employees) develops, produces and supplies technology and innovative products. The Demcon group has locations in Best, Delft, Enschede, Groningen, Maastricht, Münster (D), Tokyo (Japan) and Singapore. The company was born from the founders' passion for combining creativity and technical skills aimed at solving complex technological and societal challenges. Additionally, Demcon promotes entrepreneurship and invests in talent and education.
Power through collaboration. That is the foundation of VDL Groep, the international industrial family business headquartered in Brainport Region Eindhoven. Founded in 1953, now 70 years later, the third generation of the Van der Leegte family has been at the helm since 2017. VDL Groep employs over 15,000 people and is active in 19 countries. The group comprises more than 100 operating companies, each with its own specialism, working closely together. The activities of these companies can be summarised in the 'five worlds of VDL': Mobility, Science, Technology & Health, Energy & Sustainability, Infratech, and Foodtech. The combined annual turnover of VDL Groep in 2021 was €4.995 billion.
Communications Director and spokesperson for VDL Groep
E: m.timmers@vdl.nl
Tel: +31 6 14767066
Are you a journalist interested in our work, or would you like to focus on VDL Groep for another reason?
Then please contact us.