MOU aims for laser link between re-entry vehicle and satellite

Astrolight, a Lithuanian space and defence company, and ATMOS Space Cargo, a European company developing space return logistics, have signed a memorandum of understanding to jointly demonstrate the first in-flight optical communications link between a re-entry spacecraft and an orbiting satellite.

Astrolight’s ATLAS-X laser communication terminals are planned to fly onboard both ATMOS’s PHOENIX re-entry vehicle and the satellite used for the test to demonstrate a spacecraft-to-satellite optical link, enabling real-time transfer of system and mission data during in-orbit operations and re-entry at up to a 2.5 Gbps rate. The demonstration is currently planned for 2027.

Cargo re-entry missions are opening new commercial opportunities — from returning scientific samples, in-orbit manufactured products and critical hardware to supporting defence, Earth observation, disaster response and future in-space logistics. As these missions become more frequent, maintaining real-time, reliable communications throughout atmospheric re-entry is becoming increasingly important — especially in cases when conventional radio-frequency telemetry degrades.

Laser communication is well-suited to providing the real-time and reliable connectivity these missions require, as its narrow, focused beams can transmit data at rates up to 100 times higher than traditional radio frequency and are far more difficult to jam, intercept or detect. For ATMOS, real-time optical downlink is built into the PHOENIX system architecture to establish a continuous data channel through the re-entry phase, giving insight into vehicle health, guidance, de-orbit performance and payload data before the vehicle is physically recovered.

“Testing a laser link between PHOENIX and an orbiting satellite will mark an important first for re-entry communications,” said Astrolight CEO Laurynas Mačiulis. “Until now, this capability has only been explored in ground-based laboratory conditions. Together with ATMOS Space Cargo, we are bringing it into space.”

Astrolight’s ATLAS-X terminal is a compact, low-SWaP optical communication terminal designed for high-speed data transfer on missions where onboard space, mass and power are limited. For re-entry vehicles such as PHOENIX, where communications equipment must compete with payloads and core mission systems, this form factor is critical to integrating optical connectivity without placing significant additional demands on the spacecraft.

“Our goal is to help re-entry vehicles connect directly with satellites and, in the future, satellite constellations, so operators can access as much data as possible in real time and make missions more controlled and scalable,” Mačiulis said. “Laser links also make communications harder to interfere with or intercept — a major advantage for both commercial and defence missions.”

Europe currently relies on international partners to transport cargo to and from low Earth orbit, contributing technology and services in exchange for access, but is working to build its own cargo-return capabilities. Astrolight and ATMOS Space Cargo’s partnership is expected to mark an important step towards integrating laser communication into future cargo-return missions, giving operators and payload customers faster access to in-flight data while supporting Europe’s push for independent and scalable space return logistics.

“ATMOS is working to give Europe independent and routine commercial access to return from space,” said Sebastian Klaus, CEO of ATMOS Space Cargo. “As cargo-return missions grow more autonomous and data-intensive, real-time connectivity across the entire mission cycle is becoming increasingly important. Our partnership with Astrolight is a step toward integrating laser communication into PHOENIX as a strategic layer for payload monitoring, autonomous de-orbit, and re-entry operations.”

Image caption: A laser communication link to be demonstrated between a LEO satellite and the PHOENIX 2 vehicle during re-entry. Image credit: ATMOS Space Cargo. Background elements generated using AI-enabled tools.