Safran Space links laser direct to satellite
March 12, 2026
The use of optical lasers between orbiting satellites are commonplace. Less common is using lasers from Earth to satellites. Swedish Space Corporation (SSC) says it has a solution.
An installation in Chile near Santiago has successfully passed site acceptance testing and is now integrated into the NODES (Network of Optical Stations For Data Transfer To Earth From Space) project. This network, which began operational trials in Western Australia in early 2025, is now capable of supporting direct-to-Earth laser links across two continents.
The unit is built by France’s Safran Space which is well-known for developing ultra-precise mirrors and optical instruments used in major space telescopes that explore the universe, observe distant galaxies and study star formation.
The Chile facility is designed to handle the increasingly dense data volumes required by modern Earth observation and telecommunications missions. Key technical capabilities include handling data-rates of up to 10 Gb/s, and in a highly secure environment that’s resistant to jamming, interference or electromagnetic interception.
The installation is a primary output of the ESA ScyLight (Optical and Quantum Communications) program. This programme focuses on maturing European-made innovations to provide more secure and resilient connectivity for member states and global partners.
“The station in Santiago is not just another node – it’s a leap forward,” commented Hanna Sundberg, Optical Programme Manager at SSC Space. “We’re moving satellite communications into a new era of speed and resilience.”
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