Space Beam, a startup specializing in space optical communication, has secured 1.7 billion KRW in pre-Series A funding. Investors in this round include the Jeju Center for Creative Economy & Innovation (Jeju CCEI), Gravity Ventures, Postech Holdings, TAP Angel Partners, and the Chungnam Center for Creative Economy & Innovation (Chungnam CCEI).

Space Beam is developing innovative technology that enables data transmission between space and Earth using light, known as space optical communication. Typically, radio waves are used for such communication, but radio signals can suffer from interference and distortion as they pass through the atmosphere, leading to data loss.

Space Beam’s optical communication technology addresses these issues at the root. Since it doesn’t rely on radio frequencies, it eliminates the need for frequency allocation or licensing, significantly cutting communication costs. Additionally, transmitting data via light is expected to be more than 100 times faster and more accurate than radio waves, positioning it as a game-changing technology with potential to drive innovation across various industries.

Space Beam’s transmitter is small and lightweight, making it easy to integrate into miniature satellites. This flexibility means it could be used in a wide range of applications, including space exploration, environmental monitoring, and disaster management.

Last year, Space Beam successfully demonstrated a 20-kilometer laser communication link between Bohyeonsan Observatory in Yeongcheon, Gyeongbuk, hinting at the commercial viability of its technology. Moving forward, the company plans to conduct further validation tests between satellites and ground stations.

Led by CEO Jung-Hoon Kim, Space Beam is composed of alumni from Seoul National University’s Department of Astronomy (now the Department of Physics and Astronomy). To further advance their space optical communication technology, the company has partnered with Myung-Shin Im, Director of the Astronomy Center at Seoul National University, and Soon-Chang Park, CEO of Meta Space.