The increasing congestion of Earth’s orbit is creating significant challenges for operators of smaller satellites, often forcing them to compromise on data transmission speeds and grapple with spectrum licensing issues. Now, European space-tech company Astrolight is poised to offer a potential solution with its innovative Atlas-1 laser communication terminals. The company is preparing for the first in-orbit test of this technology, promising a potential 100-fold increase in communication speeds for small satellites and a more secure connection than traditional radio frequency (RF) systems.
Astrolight plans to demonstrate the capabilities of its low-SWaP (size, weight, and power) Atlas-1 terminals in March 2026, with the launch scheduled aboard SpaceX’s Transporter-16 mission. SpaceX’s Transporter-16 is a dedicated rideshare mission, designed to provide cost-effective access to orbit for small satellites. The terminals will establish high-bandwidth (up to 1 Gbps) and secure space-to-ground links from two customer satellites, marking a significant milestone for the small satellite industry. “These in-orbit missions are a big milestone for the global small satellite industry,” said Laurynas Mačiulis, CEO of Astrolight.
The Challenge of Space Communication
Traditional radio frequency communication, whereas widely used, faces limitations in the increasingly crowded space environment. The radio spectrum is a finite resource, and obtaining licenses for specific frequencies can be difficult and expensive. RF signals are susceptible to interference, both intentional and unintentional, and can be intercepted. Small satellite operators, in particular, often have to make trade-offs between data throughput and affordability, limiting their ability to transmit large volumes of data back to Earth. This is especially problematic for applications requiring real-time data, such as Earth observation and scientific research.
Laser communication, also known as optical communication, offers a compelling alternative. Unlike RF, laser communication uses narrow, focused beams of infrared light to transmit data. This approach offers several key advantages. First, it provides significantly higher data rates – up to 100 times faster than RF – enabling the transmission of large datasets in a fraction of the time. Second, the focused nature of the laser beam makes it much more difficult to intercept, enhancing security. Finally, laser communication is less susceptible to interference, as the narrow beam is less likely to be affected by stray signals.
Astrolight’s Atlas-1: A New Approach to Smallsat Connectivity
Astrolight’s Atlas-1 terminal is designed to address the specific needs of the small satellite market. The company emphasizes the “low-SWaP” design, meaning the terminal is compact, lightweight, and requires minimal power. This is crucial for small satellites, where every gram and watt counts. The Atlas-1 terminal is capable of achieving data rates of up to 1 Gigabit per second (1 Gbps), a substantial improvement over traditional RF communication systems. According to Astrolight, the terminal has undergone “comprehensive” client-led testing to ensure reliable operation in the harsh environment of space.
The technology isn’t just about speed; it’s about security and efficiency. “Laser communication is also much more secure than traditional radio frequency,” Mačiulis explained. The inherent directionality of laser beams makes them far more resistant to eavesdropping and jamming attempts. This is particularly key for sensitive applications, such as government communications and defense systems. The reduced reliance on scarce RF spectrum also frees up bandwidth for other users and reduces the potential for congestion.
Greece Leads the Way with Early Adoption
One of the first applications of the Atlas-1 technology will be as part of Greece’s national small satellite initiative, backed by the European Space Agency (ESA). The ESA initiative supports the development and launch of Greek-built CubeSats, small standardized satellites used for a variety of applications. Two satellites carrying Atlas-1 terminals – operating within the Ermis constellation and the PeakSat mission – will demonstrate gigabit-per-second downlinks to optical ground stations (OGSs) in Greece.
The Ermis constellation, coordinated by the National Kapodistrian University of Athens, is Greece’s first small satellite constellation mission. It aims to establish novel space communication services, including 5G-IoT, Inter-Satellite Link, and optical downlink. The Atlas-1 terminals will support hyperspectral Earth observation capabilities, enabling precise agriculture and environmental monitoring. The PeakSat mission, designed by the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, will focus on evaluating the operational performance of the Holomondas OGS, paving the way for wider adoption of optical communication technologies in Greece.
To prepare for the demonstration, Astrolight has upgraded the Holomondas OGS with an advanced 808-nanometer Laser Beacon and a compatible C-band optical receiver. This upgrade ensures precise alignment with the satellite’s laser terminal and enables data reception at speeds of up to 1 Gbps, even under varying atmospheric conditions. The testing will involve evaluating the laser link across different elevation angles, weather conditions, and illumination environments.
Optical Ground Stations: The Key to Laser Communication
Optical ground stations (OGSs) are a critical component of laser communication systems. Unlike traditional radio antennas, OGSs use telescopes and sensitive detectors to receive the infrared light signals transmitted from space. Establishing a network of OGSs around the globe is essential for providing continuous connectivity for satellites using laser communication. The upgrade to the Holomondas OGS in Greece represents a significant step towards building this infrastructure. The development of OGS technology is ongoing, with researchers working to improve sensitivity, tracking accuracy, and atmospheric compensation techniques.
Looking Ahead: Atlas-2 and the Future of Space Communication
Astrolight is already looking beyond Atlas-1, with plans to develop Atlas-2, a low-SWaP laser terminal for both inter-satellite and space-to-ground communication. This next-generation terminal will further expand the capabilities of laser communication, enabling more complex and interconnected space networks. The company envisions a future where laser links become commonplace, saving small satellite operators time and resources while enhancing the throughput and security of their communications.
“With this first in-orbit demonstration of Atlas-1, we want to prove that high-speed, secure downlinks don’t have to be reserved for large spacecraft,” Mačiulis added. “In the near future, laser links will save small satellite operators time and resources necessary to pursue more high-scale missions, while enhancing the throughput and security of communication.”
The successful deployment and testing of the Atlas-1 terminals will be a crucial step in validating the potential of laser communication for small satellites. The results of the in-orbit demonstrations, expected later in 2026, will be closely watched by the space industry and could pave the way for widespread adoption of this transformative technology. The next key milestone will be the analysis of data collected from the Ermis and PeakSat missions, expected to be published by the National Kapodistrian University of Athens and the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in early 2027.
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