Autorius: Eduardas Tolkačiovas

For the first time, Astrolight will test its low-SWaP (size, weight, and power) ATLAS-1 laser terminals in orbit, paving the way for more affordable, high-bandwidth, and secure space-to-Earth communication for small satellite operators.  

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.

As hostile jamming in the Baltic Sea and beyond intensifies, Naval Group and Astrolight sign a letter of intent to collaborate. This opens opportunities for Astrolight’s jam-resistant technology to strengthen the capabilities of Lithuanian and European defense at sea. 

On December 3, French shipbuilding giant Naval Group and Lithuanian space-tech company Astrolight signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU). The MoU marks the beginning of a collaboration between the two companies to test Astrolight’s POLARIS laser terminal on Naval Group’s vessels, exploring the potential for future integration of the technology. The partnership comes as Naval Group works to design a new multi-purpose vessel for the Lithuanian Navy, with plans to equip the ship with POLARIS. 

“With the growing threat of electronic warfare at sea, especially in the Baltic, Europe needs ships that can operate reliably in these challenging conditions,” said Laurynas Mačiulis, CEO of Astrolight. “Our interference-resilient laser technology, already successfully tested by NATO and the Lithuanian Navy, provides a secure way to communicate in the most challenging environments. Working with the Naval Group is an exciting step towards establishing laser-based communication as a new standard in European naval security.”

Laser communication uses narrow, focused light beams that are nearly impossible to interfere with and detect. This new technology complements today’s cutting-edge technologies by mitigating risks associated with communication security, bandwidth, and data rate.

“We’re excited to have Astrolight on board for the Lithuanian Navy’s new ship,” said Simon Blanc, International Procurement and Cooperation Manager at Naval Group. “Together, we aim to provide Lithuania with a comprehensive, jam-resistant communication solution for the Baltic Sea and strengthen European defense capabilities.”

The new Multi-Purpose Offshore Patrol Vessel developed by Naval Group is designed to be versatile, capable of adapting quickly to changing mission needs. It can be used for combat, transport, launching unmanned aerial vehicles, and even converting into a floating hospital in an emergency.

The MoU between Naval Group and Astrolight was signed at the Lithuanian Maritime Defence Industry Days in Vilnius, where Naval Group, Belgium Naval & Robotics, and Exail showcased their vision for a new ship tailored to the needs of the Lithuanian Navy. The event was organized by the Lithuanian Engineering and Technology Industry Association.

This year, Astrolight’s POLARIS laser terminal was successfully tested with the Lithuanian Navy, as well as at NATO’s REPMUS/Dynamic Messenger, the largest exercise focusing on maritime unmanned systems in the world, and NATO’s largest military exercise in Latvia, DiBax. There, Astrolight demonstrated jam-proof, undetectable, and high-bandwidth ship-to-ship and land-to-land laser-based communication links.

Astrolight’s POLARIS terminal has been tested during DiBax, NATO’s largest military exercise in Latvia, transmitting data during harsh weather conditions on land. In October, the company’s terminal was successfully tested at REPMUS/Dynamic Messenger, the largest exercise focusing on maritime unmanned systems in the world.Lithuanian space and defense tech company Astrolight has successfully demonstrated undetectable and unjammable laser-based communication and data transmission with its POLARIS terminal during NATO’s latest exercise. It was held in Latvia, on NATO’s Eastern flank, highlighting how the latest technologies can enhance battlefield capabilities in the region.

The exercise, called Digital Backbone Experimentation (DiBaX), took place from October 27 to November 7, at a Latvian Ādaži military base and virtually across the Alliance.

Astrolight placed two POLARIS laser terminals on land, operating continuously throughout all 9 days of the exercise, including in rain and fog. During the tests, POLARIS successfully demonstrated interoperability with military communication infrastructure, connecting a military base to an ad-hoc remote command post.

“As GPS-jamming and interference cases are rising in NATO territories, military communication is becoming a full-scale battlefield. DiBaX demonstrated that our technology can provide the speed, volume, and security of data transmission needed for modern tactical operations on land, which traditional communication methods struggle to support,” said Laurynas Mačiulis, the CEO of Astrolight.

Currently, many military operations rely on radio frequencies (RF) for communication. However, radio has key limitations, such as low data transmission speeds and being susceptible to jamming. RF emissions can also be easily detected, revealing the position of military units.

The Baltic region is experiencing near-daily electronic warfare pressure, with GPS and RF jamming originating from Russia and the Kaliningrad region intensifying in recent months. 

While the Eastern flank is among the most affected areas, these incidents are no longer isolated – similar jamming events have been reported across Europe, the Middle East, and other global hotspots, underscoring the growing need for communication systems that remain operational in contested, RF-denied environments.

In contrast, laser communications tested by Astrolight cannot be jammed using conventional electronic warfare equipment, and can transmit data at up to 100 times faster data rates than RF. 

“We’ve also showcased that laser communications can deliver consistent and reliable data transmission despite harsh weather conditions: fog, rain, and wind,” Mačiulis said. “To meet demanding NATO requirements, we made POLARIS compact, as well as easy to install and deploy across military units and vehicles in sea, land, air, and space operations.”  

Astrolight successfully tested POLARIS for ship-to-ship communications at the REPMUS/Dynamic Messenger exercise, led by the Portuguese Navy and NATO, respectively,  and with the Lithuanian Navy.

DiBaX was led by NATO Allied Command Transformation and the Latvian Ministry of Defence, hosted by Latvian Mobile Telephone. The exercise focused on the use of unmanned systems in complex operational environments and applications of artificial intelligence.

In recent months, Latvia and other European NATO members, including Lithuania, Poland, and Belgium, have been monitoring and responding to a series of drone incursions coming from Russia, raising concerns about security in the region.

• Astrolight will build the next-generation optical ground station in Greenland to transform satellite connectivity.
• Fast, secure laser data transfer will address key Arctic needs, including search and rescue, disaster management, and enhanced regional security.
• As military activity in regions like Svalbard rises, the OGS will enhance European communications resilience and sovereignty.

Astrolight, a pioneer in laser-based telecommunication systems, has begun building its first Optical Ground Station (OGS) in Kangerlussuaq, Greenland, in partnership with the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Directorate of Connectivity and Secure Communications. The project, funded under ESA’s Advanced Research in Telecommunications Systems (ARTES) Optical and Quantum Communications – ScyLight programme, marks the northernmost station of its kind and the first established in Greenland. The new OGS will be equipped with advanced laser communication technology, enabling the transfer of data from low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites at higher data rates and more cost-effectively than traditional radio frequency (RF) ground stations. 

Greenland was strategically selected to ensure high frequency of satellite connections, as most Earth observation satellites (EOS) in all orbital paths fly over the Arctic region. The new facility, expected to be completed by the end of 2026, will serve as a crucial node between satellites orbiting Earth’s polar region and ground-based data networks. By shifting from RF to laser technology, this station will deliver more than 10 times the data throughput at over 70% lower cost per gigabyte compared to the commonly used RF ground stations, according to Astrolight CEO Laurynas Mačiulis. Operators of satellite constellations are currently able to relay less than 30% of the data produced by modern remote sensing instruments, an issue exacerbated by a projected 190% increase in launched Earth observation satellites over the next decade. 

“Astrolight will be the first company to offer a commercially viable, high-throughput optical space-to-Earth data link for micro and small satellites,” says Mačiulis. “This is a pivotal development for industries that process and make decisions based on large quantities of satellite data, from commercial companies to climate researchers. For Astrolight, the station marks a major step toward our goal of building a global optical network.”

Faster data transfer for earth observation and emergency response

The Greenland Optical Ground Station will primarily serve customers in telecommunications and Earth Observation, including space agencies, governmental institutions, and commercial satellite operators focused on collecting optical, hyperspectral, radar, and infrared imaging data. With this new station, they can downlink terabytes of data from satellites much faster and more reliably than with radio-frequency stations. For example, what previously took over four hours to offload via an RF connection can now be accomplished within the short window a satellite is visible in the station’s range, opening the possibility for faster decision-making.

This speed is particularly relevant for industrial data users and those involved in safety-critical sectors. For example, faster transfers will help organizations track environmental conditions such as glacier movement or ship traffic in the Arctic, where time-sensitive information can guide search and rescue operations. Scientific projects depending on high-volume remote sensing, such as those monitoring natural disasters like oil spills and wildfires, will also benefit from improved access to large imaging datasets. 

“Fast and secure optical data transmission is essential for keeping up with the rising data demands from next-generation satellites, while enhancing ground infrastructures enables operators and policymakers to improve crucial services for when our users need them most,” said Laurent Jaffart, Director of ESA’s Connectivity and Secure Communications. With this project, we’re continuing to answer to European safety and security needs by transforming connectivity and secure communications from high latitudes. We look forward to further milestones with Astrolight, while further enhancing the resilience and sovereignty of our Member States.”

Enhancing regional resilience and digital sovereignty

The opening of an Optical Ground Station in Greenland will also add layers of resilience to the Arctic’s communication infrastructure, a key concern amidst increasing military activity in the region. Recent incidents like the severing of the Svalbard fiber-optic cable have highlighted the kind of vulnerabilities in current data transfer methods that optical ground stations mitigate. In this context, the Astrolight’s OGS in Greenland will provide necessary redundancy for the Arctic region, providing alternative communication pathways and more resilient links that can withstand both radio frequency interference and interruptions to undersea cables. 

Astrolight also plans to integrate multiple backup distribution channels using LEO and GEO satellite relays, strengthening the overall reliability of space-to-ground data connections in the Arctic.

“The optical ground station in Greenland will bring near real-time, high-resolution satellite data directly within reach of Arctic Command and Greenlandic authorities, improving search and rescue reliability, disaster detection, and critical infrastructure management,” says Peter Stensgård Hansen, Managing Director for Astrolight Denmark. “By situating the facility in Greenland’s Arctic desert, which is often free from interfering cloud cover, we can ensure consistent performance, strengthening communication security for the region as a whole.”

Astrolight’s commitment to building a resilient and secure optical network underscores the increasing need for efficient space-to-Earth data links that support a wide range of applications crucial to environmental monitoring, safety, and regional security in the Arctic and beyond.

At NATO’s largest unmanned maritime exercise, Astrolight’s POLARIS laser communication termial kept a jam-proof ship-to-ship link through rain and fog over horizon-limited distances, proving a secure, undetectable solution for radio-silent, GPS-denied environments.

Lithuanian space and defense tech company Astrolight has successfully demonstrated undetectable, unjammable, and high-bandwidth laser-based ship-to-ship communication with its POLARIS terminal during REPMUS’25, NATO’s largest unmanned maritime exercise recently.

During the REPMUS (Robotic Experimentation and Prototyping using Maritime Uncrewed Systems)/Dynamic Messenger mission, hosted by the Portuguese Navy, POLARIS laser terminals maintained a stable, jam-proof horizon-limited laser-based link between two vessels: NRP Dom Francisco de Almeida and NRP Dom Carlos I. During testing, the link wasn’t detected by a single sensor of other participating ships, drones, and land assets.

“With persistent and rising GPS jamming attacks in NATO territories, we needed to test it in real-life conditions as soon as possible. Exercise results showed that our laser technology is a reliable and operable alternative to radio frequency-based communication – now it’s time to scale,” said Dalius Petrulionis, CTO and co-founder of Astrolight, who led POLARIS’ testing at sea.

Astrolight’s terminals also transmitted gigabytes of data at latencies and speeds that allow for more than 10 concurrent, real-time HD video streams, even through rain and fog, during the day and night.

“Astrolight team spent two weeks living and working with the Portuguese Navy aboard two of their ship fleets, installing their POLARIS laser terminals. They established undetectable ship-to-ship laser communications, exceeding their initial targets by 200%, and proving that first-time experiments can go better than planned when the technology is well-developed,” NATO Defense Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA) shared on its socials.

Jamming is a serious problem at sea because it can distort satellite navigation, confuse radar and ship-tracking displays, and interrupt radio and satellite communications. In such cases, crews switch to less secure backup methods like noisy radio or signal lamps that increase a ship’s electromagnetic signature and make it easier to detect.

“Participating in REPMUS, NATO’s largest naval exercise, marks an important milestone for innovators within the NATO DIANA programme. It is the perfect opportunity for these companies to demonstrate the value their solutions can provide in an operational context, while also making the most of end-user insights and feedback as they move closer to adoption and deployment. We were proud to see six different DIANA innovators participating this year, including Astrolight, and we are confident that they will all rise to the challenge. Their technologies exemplify the kind of innovation DIANA was created to support – cutting-edge technologies with real operational potential, positioned to deliver real-world impact,” said James Appathurai, Managing Director at NATO DIANA.

The demonstration of Astrolight’s POLARIS in Portugal builds on prior tests with the Lithuanian Navy.

NATO’s REPMUS/Dynamic Messenger exercise combines REPMUS, the top event for maritime robotics and unmanned tech, and Dynamic Messenger, a program for testing innovative naval systems. They bring together NATO Allies, partners, academia, and industry experts, and provide a realistic setting to evaluate new maritime capabilities and promote their integration into NATO operations.

“Every technological breakthrough was once an innovation in testing. Running ours alongside NATO in a real, tactical setting proves that we already have top-tier defense tech. The REPMUS/Dynamic Messenger exercise is an important milestone on our path to delivering resilient, jam-resistant communications to NATO’s Navy in these turbulent times for national security,” concluded Dalius Petrulionis.

For the first time, Astrolight will demonstrate its new-gen ATLAS-2 optical terminal in orbit under the European Commission’s CASSINI programme. The mission will test space-to-space laser links designed for faster, on-demand connectivity to further strengthen national and civil security in space. 

The European Commission (EC) has selected an optical terminal ATLAS-2 for an In-Orbit Demonstration and Validation (IOD/IOV) mission under its CASSINI programme. The terminal was developed by Astrolight, a Lithuanian company that builds laser communication systems for secure links in space and on the ground.

ATLAS-2 is an evolution of Astrolight’s earlier terminal, ATLAS-1, which provided secure space-to-Earth laser-based links. Now, ATLAS-2 expands its capabilities by adding space-to-space communication alongside space-to-ground links. The demonstration will take place on board a satellite provided by Kongsberg NanoAvionics.

“This mission is a huge step for space connectivity,” said Laurynas Mačiulis, CEO of Astrolight. “ATLAS-2 makes it possible for satellites to communicate both directly and with ground stations as intermediaries. This allows real-time connectivity between spacecraft, crucial for national security and civil uses like disaster response, where every second counts.”

When using ground stations, continuous connectivity is challenging to maintain, Mačiulis explains. As satellites are constantly moving, they periodically lose sight of one ground station and must connect to the next one in view. However, the coverage of the stations is limited: they can only be built on suitable land and with access to power. On top of the geographic limits, operators face availability constraints and often need to negotiate access to foreign or commercial sites. 

ATLAS-2 overcomes these issues by combining space-to-space and space-to-Earth laser links in one terminal. This dual capability gives operators a single, secure solution for continuous, real-time connectivity, enabling fast data relay to decision makers and leveraging space communication infrastructure built by Canadian and European players. An example of such infrastructure is the Kepler Network, a real-time optical backbone that links satellites together and to Earth. 

“Aside from that, we’re huge advocates of space decentralization. You know what happens when everything gets in one hand, and we can’t risk it with our national security and safety,” Mačiulis noted. “ATLAS-2 provides a long-needed choice.” 

Beyond faster data transmission and decentralization, the terminal enhances the security of links by using laser communication rather than traditional radio frequencies. 

“Radio frequency-based communication is inherently less secure, slower, and increasingly prone to signal congestion and interference,” explained Mačiulis. “Laser links are immune to jamming because their narrow, focused beams give little opportunity for interference.”

To bring its advantages into practice, ATLAS-2 complies with European Standards for Optical Links, which also cover alignment with U.S. Space Development Agency protocols. This allows the system to work with both European and U.S. optical satellite networks.

The CASSINI programme, funded by the EC, provides support for startups and small and medium-sized enterprises in the European space sector. Through initiatives such as IOD/IOV missions, the programme helps companies to test and validate technologies in space and contributes to the development of Europe’s space industry.

Earlier this year, Astrolight’s optical ground station HERMES was named one of the winners of the CASSINI Challenges Product Track, receiving an award in recognition of its contribution to secure optical communications. On top of the development of ATLAS-2, HERMES will already be installed and tested with the first customers within the next year. 

“We are glad to be demonstrating and validating our technologies alongside European Commission programs, especially during the difficult times that the EU is currently facing. With this project, we will streamline the integration of space-to-space communication, showcasing how it could support national security for a future that’s safe for all of us,” Mačiulis said.

The Baltics are facing a wave of electronic interference that disrupts navigation and communications. In Ukraine, ground-based systems are now powerful enough to degrade signals in space. Experts warn that multiple threats, from jamming on the ground to attacks on satellites, make laser communication technology essential.

GPS jamming is no longer just a problem in war zones. On August 12, Latvia’s Electronic Communications Office confirmed that Russia is disrupting satellite navigation systems from three permanent sites in Kaliningrad, Leningrad, and Pskov Oblasts, creating widespread risks for civil aviation and critical infrastructure across the Baltic Sea region.

The agency described the issue as a “growing problem” that has outgrown national borders, forcing pilots to rely on fallback navigation methods and even grounding flights. Estonian ministers have previously called the interference a “deliberate hybrid attack” reaching into everyday life.

According to space industry experts from Astrolight, a space-tech startup from Lithuania that develops laser communication solutions for space and Earth, we need to put our focus on jamming-resistant technology.

“The Baltics are on the frontline of electronic warfare, and this could spread to other regions soon,” said Laurynas Mačiulis, CEO of Astrolight. “Satellites, navigation, and communications are experiencing regular attacks. We need jamming-resistant technology now – and it must be addressed across Europe, not just locally.”

Traditionally, GPS jamming was considered a localized threat, disrupting signals for aircraft or ground forces. But in July 2025, reports from Ukraine disclosed that Russian systems are now powerful enough to interfere with GPS signals over 1,200 miles above ground, causing satellites in low-Earth orbit to lose navigation accuracy. Experts say this is the first widely reported case of ground-based systems interfering with satellites directly.

UN agencies warn that ground-based jamming now threatens military operations, disrupts airline navigation, and interferes with maritime shipping. Civilian infrastructure, from power grids to banking systems that rely on GPS timing, is also at risk, exposing how vulnerable conventional radio-frequency (RF)  links are to high-power interference.

The European Space Agency is dealing with the issue by investing €1 billion in a new military-grade satellite network. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania Kęstutis Budrys is pushing for stronger EU-wide coordination to counter Russian hybrid attacks, including electronic warfare that now reaches into space.

“Russia’s hybrid and total war strategy in Europe is clear – from attacks on Ukraine to sabotage in Germany, disruption of Baltic communication lines, and ongoing interference in political processes across the region,” said Kęstutis Budrys, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania. “These actions show that hybrid threats are happening now, and we must respond with higher investments and even stronger technology.”

The risks extend beyond political and physical infrastructure, according to Mačiulis. 

“We believe that Earth observation is most crucial to protect. In warzones and global hot-spots, EO satellites provide real-time intelligence on troop movements and monitor critical infrastructure. The events in the Baltics and Ukraine show that satellites and communication systems are frontline targets. Laser communication is the only technology today that offers true immunity against these new-generation electronic warfare threats and can reliably protect them from jamming and interference,” he said.

Unlike RF, laser communications are highly directional and resistant to such attacks – because laser beams are only a few microradians wide, they are hard to detect or intercept.

Astrolight, based in Vilnius, has developed a next-generation laser communication system designed to operate in contested environments, providing unjammable, high-speed links between satellites and the ground. According to Mačiulis, the technology can be used both on the ground, between space and earth, and in space alone.

Astrolight, a Lithuanian space and defense tech company, has successfully tested its POLARIS free-space laser terminal in the Baltic Sea together with the Lithuanian Navy. The successful demonstration confirms the system’s potential to deliver secure, high-bandwidth laser-based communication. In environments where radio links may be unreliable or compromised, maintaining stable connectivity is critical.

In a demonstration of secure, unjammable communication, Lithuanian space and defense tech company Astrolight has successfully tested its POLARIS free-space laser terminal at sea in collaboration with the Lithuanian Navy.

The trial took place between two naval vessels operating in the Baltic Sea – a region experiencing a growing number of radio interference incidents affecting ship communications and geolocation. This is a concern for naval operations that rely on unimpeded situational awareness.  

In environments where radio links may be unreliable or compromised, maintaining stable connectivity is critical. By using laser-based links instead of radio waves, systems like POLARIS offer a secure and interference-free alternative. The main difference from radio-based communication is that POLARIS signal is very hard to detect and jam, making it ideal for use in radio-silent or radio-denied environments.

During the demonstration, the POLARIS terminal showed rapid establishment of the link and maintained a stable connection throughout the mission, confirming its ability to operate fully outside the radio frequency spectrum.

“Wartime reality shows that secure, high-speed communication shouldn’t rely only on vulnerable radio signals,” said Laurynas Mačiulis, CEO of Astrolight. “This demo proves that our technology is working well and is ready to address this challenge. In contested environments, radio silence isn’t just a precaution but a tactical necessity. It’s a firm step towards our goal to provide NATO naval vessels with resilient communication for the modern digital battlefield.”

Development of the POLARIS system was initiated through Lithuania’s Ministry’s of National Defense national defense technology development program. 

In simple terms, POLARIS is based on a technology that transmits data using an invisible, safe laser beam that can transfer large amounts of information between ships or other platforms up to 50 kilometers apart at speeds of up to 1 Gbps.

“The Polaris project marks an important milestone in the development of next-generation communication technologies for the Lithuanian Armed Forces,” said Commander Lieutenant Justinas Žukauskas, Senior Specialist at the Naval and Air Combat Platforms Division of the Defence Resource Agency under the Ministry of National Defence, who participated in the prototype testing evaluation team. “The successful demonstration confirms the system’s potential to deliver secure, high-bandwidth laser-based communication while significantly reducing electromagnetic signatures — a capability especially valuable for naval operations in a tactical environment, such as the Baltic Sea. It is particularly gratifying that what began as part of a maritime hackathon is gradually becoming a reality.”

Lieutenant Commander Žukauskas stressed the significance of the project for the Lithuanian Navy and for NATO as a whole.

“As the end user, the Lithuanian Navy stands to benefit greatly from this innovation. The prototype will now be handed over for further testing and integration into the structures of the Lithuanian Armed Forces, thereby strengthening Lithuania’s military capabilities and contributing to NATO’s broader goals in resilient and stealth-compatible communications.” 

Astrolight confirmed upcoming further tests with the Navy and NATO.

“Further testing with the Lithuanian Navy as well as in upcoming NATO exercises will be instrumental to further refining the POLARIS product,” added Dalius Petrulionis, CTO of Astrolight. “The first test in a maritime environment achieved better-than-expected results, surpassing those outlined in the technical specification, indicating that POLARIS can achieve reliable links over horizon-limited distances. ” 

“This test proves that tactical communication can be faster, safer, and smarter,” concluded Mačiulis. “POLARIS wasn’t built to compete with radio – it was built to take over where radio fails or it cannot be used due to a hostile environment.”

The Ministry of National Defence has indicated that it will continue to support emerging technologies through its annual calls for defense R&D, ensuring that projects like POLARIS continue to scale from prototype to deployment.

Funding backed by European investors will support Astrolight’s mission to create an end-to-end laser communication system connecting satellites, ground stations, and future space networks.

Astrolight, a Lithuanian space communications company, has closed a seed round at €2.8 million led by frontier tech investor Balnord. Other key investors were EIFO, Coinvest Capital, and existing investors 3NGLS and Rita Sakus. This investment will enable the start-up to accelerate the development of its laser-based end-to-end communication platform that securely connects satellites to Earth.

“Our long-term vision is to create the optical backbone network for space,” said Laurynas Mačiulis, CEO and co-founder of Astrolight. “The amount of satellites and constellations is growing exponentially, but there’s still no scalable, secure way to consistently bring that data back to Earth. With laser communication, we’re closing that gap.”

Astrolight is developing a dual-use communication architecture that can handle both space-to-space and space-to-ground optical links. The company’s goal is to offer optical communication as a service, connecting Astrolight’s and other providers’ optical terminals with its own ground infrastructure.

Mačiulis revealed the future plans, which include deployment of the first operational optical ground station and demonstration of a hybrid space-to-ground and space-to-space optical terminal, which would be based on the company’s existing ATLAS-1 modular design.

“We are incredibly excited to lead this investment round in Astrolight. We believe their experienced team has developed a truly groundbreaking optical communication technology that is essential to solving the rapidly approaching data bottleneck in space. Their high-speed, jam-resistant solutions are not only critical for the growing satellite market but also represent the kind of frontier innovation that will define the next generation of space infrastructure,” shared Jarek Pilarczyk, Operating Partner at Balnord.

Earlier this year, Astrolight launched a Danish subsidiary to strengthen collaboration across the Nordics and deliver secure laser communication solutions for space assets in the Arctic region. This made Astrolight a both strategically important and also an obvious investment opportunity for EIFO (The Export and Investment Fund of Denmark.)

„This is a strategically important investment in a company whose technology plays a vital role in strengthening European space capabilities and resilience. Ground station in the Arctic is a milestone that EIFO is pleased to support as an investor, particularly given the region’s strategic importance to Denmark and EIFO,” said Louise Flyger, Investment Manager at EIFO.

Viktorija Trimbel, Managing Director at Coinvest Capital, added: “Our investment in Astrolight reflects our strong belief in the company’s potential to become a global leader in laser communication technologies. The team has demonstrated exceptional technical expertise, a clear vision, and the ability to execute in a highly demanding deep-tech space. We are proud to support their journey as they revolutionize secure data transmission in space and beyond.”

While many players in the space sector focus solely on laser communication between satellites, Astrolight has been targeting the missing link between space and Earth since its establishment.

“The infrastructure we’re building is not just a technical solution – it’s a way to fill the operational gap in how modern space systems communicate,” Dalius Petrulionis, CTO of Astrolight, added. “They’re using radio frequencies now, but the RF spectrum is limited, with only about 20% of space-generated data retrievable. Laser links offer higher data rates, exceptional security, but most importantly, they can scale the bandwidth.”

According to Goldman Sachs Research, more than 70,000 Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites are expected to launch in the next 5 years. Along with these constellations, the demand for space-to-ground connectivity is increasing. Lasercom is becoming a competitive option to RF, providing more robust links and up to 100 times faster data rates.

“We heard from customers and partners that a complete solution is what’s missing,” Mačiulis said. “There’s no end-to-end experience – terminals, satellites, and ground infrastructure working as one.”

Astrolight’s upgraded platform will allow for greater flexibility in integrating with existing satellite systems and will support on-demand laser communication links, including inter-satellite relays and direct-to-Earth downlinks.

The team emphasizes that it does not aim to compete with other constellations or networks but rather to integrate as a complementary infrastructure layer.

“Just like everyone uses the internet today without thinking about the cables beneath us, we believe laser communication will become the invisible optical backbone for the next generation of space connectivity,” Mačiulis said. “It’s not about replacing existing infrastructure, but rather about enabling what comes next.”

Astrolight has been previously selected for NATO’s DIANA program, placing itself among the top 3% of NATO’s dual-use start-ups. It has participated in Seraphim Space and CASSINI accelerators, and has already established commercial contracts such as CAILABS, projects with the Lithuanian Navy, ESA programs, and more. This seed round is expected to accelerate both technical validation and international partnerships, positioning Astrolight as a leading European player in satellite communications.

„I am incredibly grateful for the passion and belief the entire Astrolight team has shown. Where we are today – and what we’ve achieved – is all thanks to their dedication. I also sincerely thank our existing and new investors for believing in our vision,” Mačiulis concluded.

Investors highlighted the importance of the Baltic Sea region’s position in the emerging space economy. With extensive experience in frontier technologies and a dedicated focus on space and dual-use applications, Balnord has demonstrated its commitment to the sector through investments in companies like ATMOS Space Cargo and Satim. The firm’s deep industry knowledge and regional network will provide Astrolight with valuable resources beyond capital as they scale their operations.

„Astrolight represents the type of strategic investment that Europe needs – leveraging our region’s technical excellence to build sovereign capabilities in critical infrastructure. As space becomes increasingly contested, secure communication technologies developed here in the Baltic Sea Region will be vital not only commercially but for Europe’s technological independence. This team has the rare combination of deep technical expertise and clear market vision needed to succeed in this challenging sector,” said Marcin P. Kowalik, General Partner at Balnord.

The partnership between Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and Astrolight will validate next-generation optical communication technologies in low Earth orbit as part of the PeakSat mission.

February 26, 2025–Vilnius, Lithuania. Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTh) and Astrolight, a pioneer in space-to-ground optical communication technology, have announced a strategic collaboration to advance satellite connectivity. The partnership involves integrating Astrolight’s ATLAS-1 optical terminal into PeakSat, a CubeSat mission that will demonstrate laser communication from low Earth orbit (LEO) to ground stations in Greece.

As part of this agreement, Astrolight will supply its ATLAS-1 optical terminal, which will serve as the primary payload for PeakSat. Astrolight will also upgrade Holomondas’s Optical Ground Station (OGS) with its 808 nm Laser Beacon and C-band optical receiver. These upgrades will ensure precise alignment and up to 1 Gbps data reception during the mission and handle the demands of laser communication under varying atmospheric and operational conditions.

“Collaborations like this demonstrate the potential of combining academic innovation with industry expertise,” said Laurynas Mačiulis, CEO of Astrolight. “By providing our ATLAS-1 terminal and OGS upgrades, we not only want to support the PeakSat mission, but ultimately contribute to Aristotle University of Thessaloniki goal of developing a scalable, secure, and efficient communication infrastructure in Greece.”

The PeakSat mission aims to assess a new optical ground station

Scheduled for launch in Q4 2025 via SpaceX’s Transporter-15 mission, PeakSat aims to establish optical communication links between LEO satellites and ground stations.

This represents a shift from traditional radio frequency-based communication to more advanced laser technology, providing higher data rates, better resistance to interference, and enhanced security.

The mission’s primary goal is to evaluate the operational performance of the Holomondas OGS. It will be done by systematically testing various scenarios, elevation angles, weather conditions, and illumination environments.

A secondary objective is the in-orbit validation of critical hardware and software developed by AUTh. These include the On-Board Computer (OBC), which will be used for the specific needs of the SpaceDot team’s satellites, and a communication board adapted from the Libre Space Foundation’s SatNOGS platform. This validation ensures these components are ready for broader application in future space missions.

“Optical communication is a big achievement for CubeSats,” explained Panagiotis Vamvakas, Project Manager for PeakSat. “It offers higher data rates, better security, and eliminates spectrum licensing challenges. It is now the ideal choice for modern satellite applications. PeakSat will explore this challenging new path, and will provide invaluable insights for future satellite missions to adopt this technology more broadly.”

Collaboration between academia and industry enabled faster R&D for PeakSat

Currently, technology transfer from academia to industry takes approximately up to 5 years. According to Vamvakas, such collaborations as one with Astrolight can speed this process up.

“This partnership shows how important the collaboration between academia and industry is.  Eventually, various innovations can be adopted sooner, and together, they create solutions that bridge the gap between research and real-world applications,” he added.

Mačiulis highlighted the importance of collaboration in the space industry.

“Our collaboration with AUTh has far more reaching consequences than simply to provide the ATLAS-1 terminal. It will allow us to advance our solutions based on actual mission feedback, creating a stronger foundation for future innovations in space optical communication,” concluded Mačiulis.

According to Vamvakas, this partnership resembles a critical step toward unlocking the full potential of optical communication for the next generation of satellite missions.

“Usually, there’s a big gap between research and practical applications. With such collaborations, there’s no delay, which is usually the bottleneck in the latest, rapidly advancing technologies like laser communication. That’s why PeakSat’s mission is much more than just a technical collaboration. It’s an opportunity to test and showcase the potential of laser communication in real-world conditions,” he concluded.

The PeakSat mission is a key initiative under the Greek National Satellite Space Project, jointly launched by the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Greek Ministry of Digital Governance. The project draws funding from multiple sources, including the EU’s Next Generation program and Greece’s National Recovery and Resilience Fund.

With close support from ESA’s Directorate of Connectivity and Secure Communications, this endeavor represents a significant step in Greece’s space capabilities, implemented through the EU-funded Recovery and Resilience Facility.

„The collaboration between Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and Astrolight on the PeakSat mission exemplifies the dynamic growth we’re fostering in Greece’s space sector. ESA is proud to support this partnership, which will advance optical communication capabilities and demonstrate how academic-industry collaboration can drive technological progress in Europe’s space economy,” said Frederic Rouesnel, Greek Connectivity RRF Project Manager at ESA.

The mission is funded by the EU’s Next Generation program, the Greek Ministry of Digital Governance, and the National Recovery and Resilience Fund.

Assessment of the operational efficiency of the Holomondas OGS under various conditions, including weather and elevation scenarios, will be evaluated after the expected launch on the 1st of October, 2025.