Optical Satellite Networking and In-Orbit Computing: Towards Integrated Space Communication and Computing

Optical Satellite Networking and In-Orbit Computing: Towards Integrated Space Communication and Computing

Description: 

The rapid deployment of large-scale satellite constellations, together with advances in laser communications and spaceborne computing, is transforming satellite systems from traditional communication platforms into highly connected and computing-enabled space infrastructures. High-capacity optical inter-satellite links can provide hundreds of gigabits per second or even terabit-class connectivity, while emerging in-orbit computing platforms enable data processing, storage, AI inference, and service execution directly in space.

The convergence of optical networking and in-orbit computing also introduces new technical challenges. Satellite mobility leads to highly dynamic topologies, intermittent connectivity, and time-varying link conditions, making routing, traffic engineering, resource allocation, resilience, and network control fundamentally different from terrestrial networks. Meanwhile, in-orbit computing is constrained by limited power, processing capacity, storage, and thermal resources. Efficient coordination of communication, computing, and storage resources is therefore essential.

This workshop aims to bring together researchers, engineers, satellite operators, equipment vendors, cloud and computing providers, and standardization communities to discuss recent advances and future directions in optical satellite networking and in-orbit computing. Particular attention will be given to the integration of high-speed optical connectivity, dynamic networking, distributed computing, artificial intelligence, and autonomous network operation. Topics of interest include optical inter-satellite and satellite-to-ground networking; optical transport architectures for satellite constellations; dynamic routing and traffic engineering; resilient and survivable networking; in-orbit computing architectures; distributed AI inference and edge computing in space; computing-aware routing; AI-assisted network management; experimental platforms and in-orbit demonstrations; and emerging standards and applications.

Time: November 1, 2026

Venue: TBD

Organizers:

Yongli Zhao, Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications

Kangning Li, China Satellite Network Group Co., Ltd.

Yunbo Li, China Mobile Research Institute

Yuping Wu, Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.

Speakers:

TBD