Greece Launches Laser Ground Station for Secure Satellite Communications

A new optical ground station has been commissioned in northern Greece to enhance satellite communications. The Holomondas Optical Ground Station, developed by Astrolight, supports ESA-backed CubeSat missions using laser-based communication instead of traditional radio systems. This initiative is part of the PeakSat project, which aims to address the growing demand for satellite bandwidth. The station utilizes an 808-nanometer laser beacon and can receive data at speeds of up to 2.5 Gbps. Astrolight's CEO emphasized the importance of optical connectivity for future satellite constellations, highlighting its advantages in security and resistance to jamming. The technology is also of interest to defense operators seeking resilient communication systems. The first two CubeSats, PeakSat and ERMIS-3, were launched in March 2026 as part of this initiative.

Key Points: • Greece's new optical ground station enhances satellite communication capabilities. • The station supports ESA-backed CubeSats using laser links instead of radio systems. • Optical communication technology offers increased security and higher data throughput.