T-Minus, the Only Daily Space Intelligence Podcast | N2K Space

The optical future of space communications.

Written by Maria Varmazis | Mar 8, 2026 7:00:01 AM

Summary

Happy International Women's Day! On this episode, Maria Varmazis caught up with Khalia Padilla, CEO at Imagine Engine, to discuss investing in optical space technologies and going global during Commercial Space Week 2026. She discusses two projects backed by Imagine Engine: one developing an optical transceiver that bridges radio-frequency and optical signals, supported by a NASA grant, and another building a modular, maneuverable satellite in collaboration with students from Lehigh University using similar RF-to-optical modulation techniques. And, more.

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