First in-orbit test of ATLAS-1 laser terminals to bring affordable, high-bandwidth communication for small satellites

Astrolight, a space and defence-tech company pioneering laser communication solutions across space, ground, and maritime domains, is set to demonstrate its low-SWaP ATLAS-1 laser communication terminals in space for the first time.

The terminals will enable secure, high-bandwidth space-to-ground communication on two satellites, each carrying ATLAS-1, scheduled for launch this March aboard SpaceX’s Transporter-16. The satellites support two separate missions coordinated by Astrolight’s clients: the National Kapodistrian University of Athens and the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in Greece.

Ahead of the demonstrations in space, each ATLAS-1 terminal completed comprehensive client-led testing to confirm reliable and consistent operation on satellites and across a range of environmental conditions.

“These in-orbit missions are a big milestone for the global small satellite industry,” said Laurynas Mačiulis, CEO of Astrolight. “Smallsat operators have long faced the issue of having to sacrifice data traffic due to the limitations of radio spectrum and antenna size. Because ATLAS-1 is laser-based, it provides high data rates, but with equipment that is smaller and more affordable than many other solutions on the market.”

As laser communication uses narrow, focused beams of infrared light, it can transmit data at up to 100 times faster rates than traditional radio frequency (RF) and is immune to electronic interference.

“With orbit becoming more crowded, operators relying on traditional radio-frequency links are facing growing spectrum licensing limitations and increasing exposure to unintentional interference,” said Mačiulis. “Integrating laser communication into space systems is one of the best ways to deliver secure, high-throughput connectivity while reducing dependence on scarce RF spectrum and its constraints.”

Two satellites carrying ATLAS-1 will be part of Greece’s national small satellite initiative, backed by the European Space Agency. Operating within the ERMIS satellite constellation and the PeakSat mission, they will demonstrate gigabit-per-second downlinks to optical ground stations (OGSs) in Greece, helping to advance Greece’s national space infrastructure.

ERMIS, Greece’s first small satellite constellation mission, coordinated by the National Kapodistrian University of Athens, aims to establish novel space communications services such as Low Earth Orbit 5G-IoT, Inter-Satellite Link, and optical downlink. The latter, enabled by ATLAS-1, will support hyperspectral Earth observation capabilities for national needs, including precise agriculture. Laser-based connectivity will be tested with links established between ATLAS-1 and Helmos OGS in Greece.

The PeakSat mission, designed by the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, will specifically evaluate the operational performance of the Holomondas OGS, paving the way for the broader adoption of optical communication technologies in Greece. The laser link between ATLAS-1 on board the satellite and the ground station will be tested across a range of scenarios, including different elevation angles, weather conditions, and illumination environments.

To ensure precise alignment of Holomondas OGS with the satellite’s laser terminal and enable data reception at speeds of up to 1 Gbps, Astrolight has upgraded the station with an advanced 808-nanometer Laser Beacon and a compatible C-band optical receiver, designed to meet the demands of laser communication under varying atmospheric and operational conditions.

“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,” said Mačiulis. “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.”

Following the development of ATLAS-1, Astrolight is now working on ATLAS-2, a low-SWaP laser terminal for both inter-satellite and space-to-ground communication.