Laser Communication in Orbit Optical Data Transmission with 2.5 Gbit/s to Prevent Connection Loss in Space

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For the first time, companies are planning a direct optical laser link between a satellite in low-Earth orbit (LEO) and a re-entering spacecraft for the year 2027. This partnership sets new benchmarks for European space logistics and presents exciting hardware challenges for communication technology.

Traditional radio communication quickly reaches its physical limits during space missions, especially during the critical reentry into Earth's atmosphere. The plasma gas layer formed during reentry often causes the telemetry connection to break off or become severely disrupted. This is referred to as a radio blackout. For engineers, this often means a painful blind flight until the capsule is physically recovered.

This is where laser communication, also known as free-space optical communications, comes into play. It utilizes highly focused infrared beams, enabling data rates up to 100 times higher than traditional radio signals and being less susceptible to conventional interference.

While laser communication between satellites or from satellites to Earth (ground-to-space) has made significant progress in recent years, the connection between a moving reentry body and an orbiting satellite is uncharted technological territory. For electronics developers and system architects, this means compact, vibration-resistant, and thermally highly resilient optical terminals that must perform reliably in the harsh environment of space and reentry.

PHOENIX 2 meets ATLAS-X

Astrolight, a Lithuanian technology company specializing in laser communication solutions, and ATMOS Space Cargo, a provider of commercial cargo return services from orbit, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to bridge this gap. A joint demonstration mission is planned for 2027.

Astrolicht's optical terminal of the ATLAS-X type is to be installed both onboard the LEO test satellite and on the reentry vehicle PHOENIX 2 from ATMOS. The goal is to establish a real-time, optical space-to-space connection and transmit system and payload data at a rate of up to 2.5 Gbit/s. This transmission will occur throughout the entire orbital flight, including the critical phase of atmospheric reentry.

Compact Design and Harsh Environmental Conditions

A central technical challenge in missions of this kind is the so-called SWaP profile, meaning size, weight, and power consumption. Onboard re-entry capsules like PHOENIX, communication components compete heavily with the actual payload and essential subsystems for mass and energy.

The ATLAS-X terminal has been specifically designed as a compact low-SWaP application to integrate an optical high-speed connection into small satellites or capsules, even under strict restrictions.

"Until now, this capability has mostly been tested only under lab-like conditions on Earth. Together with ATMOS Space Cargo, we are now taking it into space," explains Laurynas Mačiulis, CEO of Astrolight. "Our goal is for reentry bodies to connect directly with satellites and future constellations. This way, operators receive maximum data in real-time, making control safer and more scalable."

Strategic Importance for Europe

The cooperation is also driven by Europe's ambition for technological independence in space logistics. So far, the old continent heavily relies on international partners to return cargo from low-Earth orbit. Initiatives like the European Space Agency's (ESA) LEO Cargo Return Services Initiative aim to develop its own capabilities.

With the growing commercial interest in experiments in space, semiconductor manufacturing in microgravity, or the return of critical scientific samples, the demand for continuous telemetry is rapidly increasing. Sebastian Klaus, CEO of ATMOS Space Cargo, emphasizes the importance of the partnership: "As cargo return missions become more autonomous and data-intensive, seamless connectivity throughout the entire mission cycle is essential. Our partnership with Astrolight is a pivotal step in firmly establishing laser communication as a strategic layer for payload monitoring and autonomous reentry within the PHOENIX system."

If the demonstration in 2027 is successful, it is likely to not only increase acceptance of optical satellite links for commercial and safety-critical applications but also set new standards for reliability and data availability in future European space missions.