For several decades photonics has been a key enabling technology in many scientific and technological areas such as telecommunications, life science, health-care, lighting, and aerospace and defense. Typical advantages of the photonic systems over the competing technologies, such as low power consumption, small size and weight, electromagnetic interference immunity, and high transmission and processing speed, can be exploited in several components and systems for small space-borne payloads and instruments, conventionally implemented with electronic technologies. Further new functions and observations are made possible with these technologies.

One of the aims of this Research Topic is to discuss recent developments on optical and photonic devices and systems for space applications. We also aim to critically review the most promising research advances in the field of photonic technologies, in particular integrated optics ones, which may have a significant impact on the performance of future space systems. The development of the latter is being driven by the affordable launch cost of small satellite systems, the space telescopes, the military as well as the commercial delivery systems.

The most promising space applications include, as examples, space-based Lidar systems, telescopes for deep-space observation, planetary missions, optical sensors for earth observation and health structure monitoring, avionic sub-systems, laser communication terminals, high capacity optical inter-satellite links for mega constellations, Terabit optical feeder links, high-speed intra-satellite optical interconnects for VHTS, quantum optical communication systems, space-based optical interferometers for the detection of gravitational waves, power systems.

This Research Topic invites both Review and Original Research articles which address different aspects such as:
• design and modeling,
• manufacturing, assembly, and integration,
• experimental demonstration and verification,
• evaluation and qualification testing,
• application of new optics and photonic devices, systems, structures, functional materials,
• new measurement methods and signal processing for Space applications, ranging from new concepts still experienced in laboratories to systems to be made available on the market.

Topic Editor Leontios Stampoulidis is the Founder of LEO Space Photonics R&D and holds patents “Bi-directionally pumped polarization maintaining fiber amplifier” and “Optical fiber amplifier array.” The other Topic Editors declare no competing interests with regards to the Research Topic theme.

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