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\t\t\t\t\t\t02\/11\/2026<\/span> Despite it being a complex operation, ERMIS-3, an 8U CubeSat developed by the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, has established a link with an optical ground station marking an important step in validating optical communications on small satellites. The demonstration, supported by the European Space Agency (ESA) and achieved using optical terminals developed by Lithuanian company\u00a0Astrolight, happened only weeks after the satellite\u2019s commissioning.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n This milestone represents Greece’s first optical link with a low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite. \u00a0<\/p>\n Unlike conventional radio-frequency communications, optical links use narrow laser beams to transmit data. This enables high data rates, but it also makes establishing and maintaining a connection technically demanding. The beam must be directed precisely towards a receiver while the satellite moves through orbit at several kilometres per second. Both terminals must acquire the signal and continuously track one another during a limited communication window. Not only that; atmospheric conditions add more complexity as clouds can block the link entirely and turbulence can degrade signal quality.\u00a0<\/p>\n The satellite connected with the Greece-based Holomondas Optical Ground Station (OGS), HolOGS-1in Greece, developed by the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. The quickly established link demonstrated one of the mission\u2019s main objectives: precise pointing, acquisition and tracking (PAT).<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n ERMIS-3 carries Astrolight\u2019s ATLAS-1 optical terminal, paired with a terminal at the ground station.<\/p>\n Launched on 30 March 2026 alongside ERMIS-1 and ERMIS-2, ERMIS-3 is part of an in-orbit demonstration programme testing communications technologies for small satellites. Optical links could help address the growing volume of data generated by missions such as Earth observation, where high-resolution and hyperspectral imagery must be transferred to the ground.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n ESA contributed technical expertise to ERMIS-3, including through environmental testing and optical alignment at ESA European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC) in the Netherlands, supporting the successful demonstration of its optical communication link.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n The mission is part of Greece\u2019s National Space Programme, implemented by ESA on behalf of the Greek government.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cThis achievement demonstrates that Europe can deliver world-class innovation through close cooperation between industry, academia and institutions. For 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 under the Greek National Space Programme. ESA is proud to have provided programme management, technical supervision and engineering support throughout this journey, helping transform an ambitious concept into a pioneering in-orbit resilient demonstration,\u201d said Frederic Rouesnel, Head of the Resilience Initiatives Implementation Management Office at ESA.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cThe ERMIS-3 nanosatellite is among the most advanced CubeSats developed in Europe. Using ATLAS-1 as a laser communications terminal has led to a unique collaboration and the first operations of a laser optical link on the CubeSat. This achievement is opening new capabilities and opportunities for secure communications for small satellites within the European ecosystem,\u201d said Professor Vaios Lappas and Antonis Paschalis, Principal Investigators of ERMIS.\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cThis is an important milestone for AUTh and for optical communications in Greece, as it marks the first successful optical link with a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite from Greece \u2014 and specifically from Holomondas. It is all the more significant that this link was established with a Greek space asset, ERMIS” said Professor Kleomenis Tsiganis, Head of SSA and OGS activities at the\u00a0Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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