CubeSat achieves challenging laser link to ground

Holomondas Optical Ground Station in Greece, featuring a terminal from Astrolight, achieved a successful optical link with an 8U CubeSat, ERMIS-3, developed by the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. The link, supported by the European Space Agency (ESA), was made using optical terminals developed by Astrolight, marking Greece's first optical link with a low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite. The demonstration, which occurred weeks after the satellite's commissioning, focused on precise pointing, acquisition, and tracking (PAT), a key objective of the mission. The satellite connected with the Greece-based Holomondas Optical Ground Station (OGS), HolOGS-1, developed by the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.

ERMIS-3, launched on March 30, 2026, alongside ERMIS-1 and ERMIS-2, is part of an in-orbit demonstration program testing communications technologies for small satellites. The mission is part of Greece's National Space Program, implemented by ESA on behalf of the Greek government. The link demonstrated one of the mission's main objectives, and the satellite used Astrolight's ATLAS-1 optical terminal, paired with a terminal at the ground station. The optical link, which required precise alignment and tracking, was achieved under the guidance of ESA, which contributed technical expertise through environmental testing and optical alignment at ESA's European Space Research and Technology Center (ESTEC) in the Netherlands.

The achievement represents a significant milestone for Europe's space industry, as it marks the first time an 8U CubeSat developed by the University of Athens has established a laser communication link directly to Earth using a miniaturized optical terminal developed by Astrolight. The success highlights the potential of optical communications for small satellites, addressing the growing data demands of missions such as Earth observation. The link was established with a Greek space asset, ERMIS, and underscores the importance of collaboration between industry, academia, and institutions in advancing space technologies. The demonstration is opening new capabilities and opportunities for secure communications for small satellites within the European ecosystem.

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