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\t\t\t\t\t\t15\/04\/2026<\/span> Actionable data from space could be delivered in seconds in the future, thanks to progress towards the European Space Agency\u2019s (ESA) faster and more secure laser communications network,\u00a0HydRON. At the\u00a041st\u00a0Space Symposium in\u00a0Colorado Springs,\u00a0Canadian\u00a0satellite\u00a0communications company Kepler was awarded a contract to lead the next phase in the project\u2019s evolution.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n ESA\u2019s High\u2011thRoughput\u00a0Optical Network (HydRON) aims to enable real\u2011time data transfer between satellites and ground systems, across multiple orbits.\u00a0Essentially, it\u00a0seeks\u00a0to extend fibre\u2011based internet infrastructure into space. Rather than relying on\u00a0traditional radio links and limited ground station contacts,\u00a0HydRON\u00a0uses laser technology to move large volumes of data quickly and efficiently.\u00a0<\/p>\n The programme is structured in\u00a0multiple\u00a0parts. The first\u00a0establishes\u00a0a constellation of satellites in low Earth orbit that relay data using optical links. The second extends this capability to higher orbits, connecting different orbital layers and ground infrastructure. The third focuses on bringing industry into the network,\u00a0validating\u00a0how different technologies and services can\u00a0operate\u00a0together in orbit.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Under an \u20ac18.6 million contract awarded on 14 April, Kepler will\u00a0start the activities under\u00a0this third\u00a0part. Using\u00a0their\u00a0satellites, the company will host payloads from several European partners. Vyoma GmbH will contribute a space situational awareness payload, designed to\u00a0monitor\u00a0objects in orbit and help track satellites and debris. TESAT, MBRYONICS\u00a0Ltd\u00a0and\u00a0Astrolight\u00a0UAB\u00a0will each provide optical communication\u00a0hardware.\u00a0<\/p>\n The\u00a0contract was signed\u00a0between Laurent Jaffart, ESA Director of Resilience, Navigation and Connectivity, and Mina\u00a0Mitry, CEO and Co-Founder of Kepler\u00a0in\u00a0the\u00a0presence of ESA\u2019s Director General Josef Aschbacher and\u00a0Lisa Campbell, President of the Canadian Space Agency, the German Aerospace\u00a0Center\u00a0(DLR), and Kepler\u2019s industrial partners\u00a0Astrolight, TESAT, Vyoma and MBRYONICS.\u00a0It\u00a0builds on Kepler\u2019s earlier role in\u00a0HydRON\u2019s\u00a0first element\u00a0and\u00a0supports ESA\u2019s wider\u00a0objective\u00a0of developing a resilient, European\u2011led communications infrastructure in space.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Optical communications complement traditional radio frequencies, which are becoming increasingly congested. By contrast, laser links allow\u00a0more\u00a0data volumes to be transmitted, with reduced interference and higher security.\u00a0<\/p>\n HydRON\u00a0will\u00a0demonstrate\u00a0data rates in the terabit\u2011per\u2011second range and show how space\u2011based optical networks can integrate seamlessly with\u00a0ground\u00a0fibre systems. Beyond faster data delivery, the programme is also about interoperability, namely\u00a0ensuring that\u00a0technology\u00a0from different European companies can work together within a single network. This is a key step in keeping Europe competitive in optical communications and in preparing future\u00a0flexible\u00a0space systems.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cHydRON\u00a0will serve as the world\u2019s first multi-orbital optical communications network with a terabit per second capacity, offering resilient and efficient data transfer to address the challenges of bringing connectivity to multiple users securely, quickly and reliably,\u201d said Laurent Jaffart, Director of Resilience, Navigation and Connectivity. \u201cToday\u2019s signature with Kepler Communications continues our collaboration on the project, as they contribute their expertise in concert with their consortium to deliver\u00a0within\u00a0Element 3; the component of\u00a0HydRON\u00a0that\u2019s key to building new industrial capabilities, demonstrating new service concepts, fostering system extensions, and promoting international cooperation and interoperability.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cHydRON\u00a0is a key initiative in advancing sovereign optical communications and enabling high-capacity data transport,\u201d said Mina Mitry, CEO and Co-Founder of Kepler. \u201cElement 3 represents a critical step in broad interoperability testing and delivering real-time access to data for various applications.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cWith\u00a0HydRON\u00a0Element 3 and further\u00a0HydRON\u00a0evolutions, ESA will respond to the needs of its Member States for high speed and secure communications across air, High-Altitude Pseudo-Satellites\u202f(HAPS), maritime and – in the longer term – deep space communications,\u201d said Harald Hauschildt, Head of the Optical and Quantum Communication Office in charge of ESA\u2019s Optical and Quantum Communications \u2013\u00a0ScyLight\u00a0programme line.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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