In the latest episode of SpaceNews' podcast, 'Space Minds,' host David Ariosto chats with John Mackey, CEO, co-founder, and director of Mbryonics, about the ambitious plan to build optical links for satellites and other space infrastructure. The goal? Making space networks as interoperable as your Wi-Fi router, but with lasers and zero 'buffering' (probably).

Mbryonics, a company that apparently has a thing for light beams, is developing optical communication technology that could replace traditional radio frequency links. This would allow satellites to communicate with each other at mind-boggling speeds, creating a sort of 'internet in the sky' that could connect everything from Earth observation satellites to deep space probes. Because, you know, sending data through space with radio waves is so 20th century.

Mackey emphasizes the importance of interoperability - making sure that satellites from different companies, countries, and even planets can all talk to each other without needing a universal translator. This would be a game-changer for the space industry, which currently operates like a bunch of people shouting in different languages across a crowded room, except the room is orbit and the shouting is, well, radio signals.

The episode is part of the 'Space Minds' weekly podcast, which features interviews with scientists, founders, and experts who love to talk about space. It's hosted by David Ariosto and Mike Gruss, along with journalists from the SpaceNews team. New episodes drop every Thursday on SpaceNews.com, YouTube, Spotify, and Apple channels.

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So, if you've ever wondered what it would take to make satellites as chatty as your group chat, this podcast episode is for you. Just remember: in space, no one can hear you scream, but soon they might be able to send you a meme at light speed.