France, Greece, and Cyprus have announced a landmark partnership to develop next-generation satellite technology that could redefine secure, high-speed data transmission. Hellas Sat, the French Space Agency (CNES), Thales Alenia Space, and Safran signed an agreement to integrate a pioneering optical communications system onto the upcoming Hellas Sat 5 satellite.
This initiative utilizes Free-Space Optical Communications (FSO)—a technology that swaps traditional radio waves for high-speed laser beams. Think of it as beaming fiber-optic internet through the vacuum of space. By using light, this system aims to reach data speeds approaching 1 terabit per second, drastically exceeding current satellite capabilities.
Key technical concepts for satellite technology
Free-Space Optics (FSO): A communication method using light (lasers) to transmit data between two points in space. Unlike radio, it offers massive bandwidth, making it ideal for the future of the internet.
Geostationary Orbit: A specific orbit 35,786 km above the Earth where a satellite moves at the same speed as the planet’s rotation. This allows the satellite to stay fixed over one location, providing continuous coverage to that region.
Atmospheric Turbulence: A major challenge for laser tech; air movement, clouds, and heat can disrupt light signals. This project aims to prove these lasers can reliably “punch through” the atmosphere.
Beyond speed, the project addresses critical security concerns. As global reliance on undersea fiber-optic cables grows, they become increasingly vulnerable to sabotage. These satellites provide a secure, resilient, space-based alternative for government and defense communications.
A pilot ground station will be deployed in Cyprus to communicate with an existing station in France, demonstrating how this technology can create a seamless, intercontinental network.
For Greece and Cyprus, the project marks a major step toward technological sovereignty, ensuring national communications remain secure and independent in an increasingly volatile global environment.
Related: Greece Activates Its First National Satellite Fleet – GreekReporter.com