18 May 2026

The European Space Agency (ESA), together with the Greek Ministry of Digital Governance, has supported the development and commissioning of the Holomondas Optical Ground Station (OGS) in Greece, marking another important milestone in Europe’s efforts to build next-generation optical connectivity infrastructure.

Developed under the PeakSat project led by the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, and implemented with space and defence company Astrolight, the Holomondas station is now operational and ready to support in-orbit demonstration and validation activities for Greek CubeSat missions carrying laser communication payloads.

The project forms part of ESA’s Greek Connectivity Programme, carried out on behalf of the Hellenic Ministry of Digital Governance under the Greek IOD/IOV CubeSat initiative. The programme is designed to strengthen Greece’s and Europe’s capabilities in secure, high-speed optical communications from space.

PeakSat and ERMIS-3, two Greek CubeSats supported by ESA, successfully reached orbit on 30 March 2026 as part of a wider launch campaign involving eight ESA-backed spacecraft. Both missions carry optical communication payloads that will demonstrate high-throughput laser links between satellites in orbit and the Holomondas OGS on Earth. Astrolight supplied both the ground segment and the ATLAS-1 laser communication terminals onboard the satellites, creating a complete end-to-end optical communications system for in-orbit testing.

The Holomondas station, originally an astronomical observatory, has been upgraded with advanced laser communication capabilities, including an 808-nanometre laser beacon and a compatible C-band optical receiver. These systems enable precise laser beam alignment and optical data reception at speeds of up to 2.5 Gbps under varying atmospheric and operational conditions.

The project also demonstrates how innovative engineering approaches can help reduce the size, weight and infrastructure requirements traditionally associated with optical ground stations, helping pave the way for more scalable and cost-effective deployment of optical communication networks across Europe.

Unlike traditional radio-frequency systems, optical communications use narrow infrared laser beams to transmit data at significantly higher rates of up to 100 times, while offering resilience against interference and congestion.

“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. The commissioning of the Holomondas Optical Ground Station marks an important step towards enabling faster, more secure, and resilient connectivity, while strengthening Greece’s role within Europe’s expanding optical communications ecosystem,” said Frederic Rouesnel, Greek Connectivity RRF Project Manager at ESA. “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.”

“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,” said Laurynas Mačiulis, CEO of Astrolight. “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.”

“Holomondas is moving closer to becoming an internationally recognised optical communication hub and contributing to the future global network of optical ground stations,” said Kleomenis Tsiganis. “This progress has been made possible through close collaboration between academia and industry, and our joint endeavor shows how such partnerships can accelerate the development of laser communication infrastructure.”

The initiative contributes to ESA’s broader efforts to develop secure, resilient and high-capacity communications infrastructure that will support future satellite services, Earth observation missions and Europe’s long-term connectivity ambitions.

04 May 2026

The European Space Agency (ESA) has supported the launch of two satellites in the Hellenic Space Dawn mission, the final CubeSat mission in the Greek Connectivity Programme implemented by ESA on behalf of the Hellenic Ministry of Digital Governance. The Hellenic Space Dawn satellites were launched to low Earth orbit on a SpaceX Falcon 9 from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, at 08:00 a.m. BST (09:00 a.m. CET) on 3 May 2026.

Hellenic Space Dawn comprises two 8U-size CubeSats, HELIOS and SELENE, managed by EMTECH SPACE and equipped with CubeCAT laser communication terminals provided by AAC Clyde Space. This mission will also carry high-resolution cameras with the intention of leveraging optical links to enable low-latency support for applications such as cartography and land-use monitoring. In addition, the satellites will support the validation of in-space data processing hardware as well as a radiofrequency inter-satellite links. Once operational, this mission will validate robust direct to Earth (DTE) optical links, offering significant improvements over conventional radio frequency systems for transmission speeds and resistance to interference.

Hellenic Space Dawn is the culmination of the space segment in the Greek Connectivity Programme, an ambitious programme initiated in 2023 to fast-track Greek In-Orbit Demonstration (IOD) missions. Implemented by ESA with funding from the European Union, the programme aims to boost the country’s space industry – from design, manufacturing, operation and ground station communications – and strengthen its place in the European space ecosystem.

Hellenic Space Dawn is the last of the seven IOD missions in the programme. Alongside three similarly specialised missions launched earlier this year, Hellenic Space Dawn will help to validate next-generation optical terminals in support of Greece’s expanding capabilities in resilient optical communication technologies. Altogether, the seven IOD missions in the Programme feature a total of 11 satellites launched to low Earth orbit between 2025 and 2026. Each spacecraft is currently either performing its nominal mission or progressing through its Launch and Early Operations Phase (LEOP) during which its operators meticulously check the satellites’ systems’ health in anticipation of commissioning and commencement of normal mission operations.

Together with the expected completion of the Hellenic Assembly, Integration and Testing Facility (HAITF), as well as multiple optical ground stations, the IOD missions contribute to building up the country’s end-to-end space capabilities and foster competitive European solutions.