The newly operational Holomondas Optical Ground Station will support a series of Greek CubeSat demonstration missions being conducted under the auspices of the European Space Agency and the Greek government, as Europe accelerates efforts to develop more resilient and higher-capacity alternatives to traditional radio frequency satellite communications.
Located at the Holomondas observatory site in Greece, the facility is intended to support in-orbit demonstration and validation of optical communications technologies capable of transmitting data at vastly higher speeds than conventional radio systems.
The project forms part of the PeakSat program led by Aristotle University of Thessaloniki under ESA’s Greek Connectivity Programme, with support from the Hellenic Ministry of Digital Governance.
Two Greek CubeSats – PeakSat and ERMIS-3 – were successfully launched into orbit in March as part of the broader ESA-backed Greek In-Orbit Demonstration and Validation mission set. Both spacecraft carry optical communications payloads designed to test high-speed laser data links between orbit and Earth.
Astrolight supplied both the space-based laser communication terminals and the terrestrial infrastructure required to establish the optical links, effectively delivering an end-to-end laser communications system for the missions.
“We are happy to apply our technical expertise to commission the Holomondas station and support the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki’s efforts to advance Greece’s and Europe’s optical communication infrastructure,” Astrolight chief executive Laurynas Mačiulis said.
“By providing an end-to-end communication system, with ground and space segments designed to work together from the start, we helped streamline the mission’s path from integration to in-orbit testing,” he added.
The Holomondas facility was originally developed as an astronomical observatory before being upgraded with specialised laser communications hardware, including an advanced 808-nanometre laser beacon system and C-band optical receivers capable of receiving data transmissions at speeds of up to 2.5 gigabits per second.
Unlike traditional radio frequency communications, optical communications use tightly focused infrared laser beams to transmit information. The technology can potentially deliver data transfer rates up to 100 times faster than conventional RF systems while also offering greater resistance to electronic interference and spectrum congestion.
The system developed by Astrolight also incorporates advanced calibration technologies designed to maintain alignment accuracy despite temperature fluctuations and mechanical movement, enabling the use of smaller and more cost-effective telescope systems.
Professor Kleomenis Tsiganis, head of space situational awareness and optical ground station activities at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, said the project was helping establish Greece as a growing hub for optical space communications.
“Holomondas is moving closer to becoming an internationally recognised optical communication hub and contributing to the future global network of optical ground stations,” Tsiganis said.
“This progress has been made possible through close collaboration between academia and industry, and our joint endeavour shows how such partnerships can accelerate the development of laser communication infrastructure.”
ESA officials said the program represents an important milestone in Europe’s efforts to build sovereign optical communications capability as demand for satellite bandwidth and secure space-based connectivity continues to grow rapidly.
“ESA is proud to support the joint efforts of Astrolight and the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in advancing Europe’s next generation of optical communication infrastructure,” said Frederic Rouesnel, ESA’s Greek Connectivity project manager.
“As the Greek CubeSats move into their demonstration phase, they will help validate innovative laser communication technologies that will provide alternatives to scarce radio frequencies and shape the future of high-capacity connectivity in space.”
The growing focus on optical communications mirrors broader global trends as governments, defence organisations and commercial space operators seek faster, more secure and more resilient space networking technologies for both civil and military applications.
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