Terahertz Inter-Satellite Links: Motivation, Challenges and Opportunities

Abstract

Inter-satellite links (ISLs) are essential to the evolution of next-generation satellite constellations, providing the foundation for low-latency, resilient, and globally scalable connectivity. While low radio-frequency (RF)-based ISLs offer technological maturity, they are increasingly constrained by spectrum scarcity, congestion, and interference. Optical ISLs, on the other hand, deliver unprecedented capacity but demand ultra-precise pointing, suffer from narrow-beam limitations, and are limited to point-to-point links, all of which hinder large-scale deployment, including point-to-multi-point capability. To overcome these limitations, we propose very-high RF terahertz (THz) inter-satellite links (ISLs) as a promising middle-ground solution, merging the ultra-high data rates of optical links with the adaptability, reliability, and relaxed pointing requirements of lower-frequency RF ISLs. However, despite growing interest, research on THz ISLs remains at an early stage, fragmented across isolated studies, and lacking a clear roadmap for practical realization. This paper aims to address this gap by examining the fundamentals of THz ISLs, assessing their potential advantages and key challenges, and identifying the most promising research directions to transform them into a cornerstone of future interconnected mega constellations.