UND Launches Innovative Laser Lab for Satellite Communication
The University of North Dakota (UND) has initiated a significant research infrastructure project aimed at enhancing satellite communication capabilities through laser technology. On December 10, 2023, the installation of a groundbreaking Free-Space Optical Communication Lab was completed atop Witmer Hall, a key facility that will serve both local industry needs and university research initiatives.
Key Features of the New Lab
Under the guidance of Markus Allgaier, assistant professor of physics and astrophysics, the lab consists of two primary sections: an observatory and a standard laser lab. The observatory, situated on the roof of Witmer Hall, is equipped with a telescope and optics designed to point lasers at satellites and collect data from them. Allgaier noted that this aspect of the project is particularly challenging from a technological standpoint.
Originally scheduled for installation on December 9, the observatory’s assembly was delayed due to adverse weather conditions, pushing the operation to the following day. Wind and snow flurries further postponed the installation until 13:00. Allgaier expressed a mix of excitement and stress regarding the project’s culmination after two and a half years of planning, stating, “I’ve not had a project ever in my career where you’re planning for two and a half years and then it comes down to one day.”
Located in the basement of Witmer Hall, the standard laser lab features temperature-stable environments and laser tables designed to minimize vibrations, ensuring precision during experiments. This facility will not only support the development of laser communication technologies that align with commercial standards but will also address critical research questions.
Local Impact and Future Prospects
The new lab aligns with local industry needs, especially as the Space Development Agency (SDA) plans to operate a satellite from the Grand Forks Air Force Base. Allgaier emphasized the potential for training students from the region for jobs in satellite operations, stating, “We can train students from the region for jobs in the region that need that kind of skill.”
Funding for the project, amounting to $5 million, was requested by UND prior to the 2023 legislative session. This funding not only supports the creation of the lab but also contributes to the local economy by engaging regional contractors such as Sand Steel from Emerado and AE2S.
Already, students have begun utilizing the basement lab for their research projects, with Allgaier supervising three PhD students, one Master’s student, and several undergraduates working on senior projects. He plans to incorporate an upper-level elective focused on optics and potentially another course related to laser technology, allowing broader access to the lab for all students at UND. “Anyone at UND can use the facility,” Allgaier confirmed. “It’s taking a little bit of shape of what that collaboration is going to look like.”
Allgaier’s journey with this project began even before his relocation to Grand Forks for his position at UND. He officially started at the university in January 2024 but had signed his contract in March 2023. During the preceding months, he engaged with contractors to assess technical capabilities within the project’s budget, drawing on his experience from helping establish three other optics labs in previous roles.
As one of the pioneering ground stations for laser communication, this facility faces a “chicken and egg” dilemma, as Allgaier describes it. The technology has not yet been widely adopted because potential users often cite the lack of existing missions for laser communication, while those looking to initiate missions point to the absence of supporting infrastructure. “You need to overcome by putting a little bit of faith in that, that this will be a technology that will be used,” he explained.
By the end of Spring 2026, Allgaier anticipates that all necessary hardware will be in place, though he acknowledges that assembling the entire system will take additional time. The establishment of this lab not only signifies a leap forward in satellite communication technology but also underscores UND’s commitment to fostering research and workforce development in the region.
