Hellas Sat CNES Thales Alenia Space and Safran Launch Joint Program to Develop Optical Communications for Hellas Sat 5

Hellas Sat CNES Thales Alenia Space and Safran Launch Joint Program to Develop Optical Communications for Hellas Sat 5

(IN BRIEF) Hellas Sat has signed a cooperation agreement with CNES, Thales Alenia Space and Safran to develop a laser-based optical communications system for the Hellas Sat 5 geostationary satellite and a corresponding ground station in Cyprus. The project will demonstrate ultra-high-capacity space-to-ground communications using the SOLiS optical system developed within the France 2030 program, with expected transmission speeds approaching one terabit per second. The initiative is designed to improve the security, resilience and performance of satellite communications while supporting critical governmental and institutional applications. The cooperation, involving partners from France, Greece and Cyprus, represents a significant step toward operational optical satellite communications and strengthens Europe’s efforts to build secure and autonomous space-based connectivity infrastructure.

(PRESS RELEASE) PARIS, 26-Feb-2026 — /EuropaWire/ — Hellas Sat has entered into a strategic framework agreement with CNES, Thales Alenia Space, and Safran to jointly develop an advanced laser-based communications capability for the upcoming Hellas Sat 5 geostationary satellite, together with a dedicated optical ground station that will be established in Cyprus.

The initiative is intended to introduce a new generation of ultra-high-capacity satellite connectivity by enabling extremely fast and secure data transfer between space and ground networks. The optical communications system will rely on laser technology to provide robust and resilient links designed for demanding operational environments. The program is based on the SOLiS optical communications initiative supported by CNES within the France 2030 space investment framework and coordinated by Thales Alenia Space. The project will validate high-capacity optical transmissions through the atmosphere using geostationary orbit infrastructure.

Within this European industrial partnership, Thales Alenia Space will be responsible for delivering the SOLiS optical communications architecture along with the satellite-borne optical terminal that will be installed on Hellas Sat 5. Safran will design and deploy an initial commercial prototype optical ground terminal that will be installed at Hellas Sat’s teleport facility in Cyprus. This facility, known as CyOGS, will operate alongside CNES’s optical station at the Côte d’Azur Observatory in France, enabling bidirectional laser communications testing and service validation. The system is being engineered with open architecture principles to ensure compatibility with other optical communications networks expected to be deployed in the coming years.

Laser-based space communications are emerging as a transformative technology capable of dramatically expanding the capacity and security of satellite networks. Optical transmission systems operating through free space are expected to achieve data throughput approaching one terabit per second, far exceeding the performance levels available through conventional radio-frequency satellite communications. These capabilities are designed to ensure reliable long-distance communications even under challenging atmospheric conditions.

The introduction of optical communications from geostationary orbit is also intended to strengthen the resilience of global data networks. Increasing concerns about the vulnerability of terrestrial and subsea fiber infrastructure have highlighted the importance of secure space-based alternatives. Geostationary satellites provide continuous regional coverage and can support large-scale secure data transfers, making them well suited for critical governmental and institutional communications requirements.

The agreement was formally concluded during the Battlefield Redefined 2026 Conference held in Nicosia, Cyprus. The event was organized in cooperation with the European Commission’s DG DEFIS in connection with the Cypriot Presidency of the European Union. Representatives of the participating organizations joined Greek and Cypriot government officials and space-sector stakeholders for the signing ceremony, highlighting the strategic importance of the initiative for European cooperation in space technologies. Participants also included representatives of the National Observatory of Athens, the Hellenic Space Center and other public-sector organizations from Greece and Cyprus.

Christodoulos Protopapas, Chief Executive Officer of Hellas Sat, emphasized that collaboration with leading European space agencies and industrial partners confirms Hellas Sat’s role as a dependable and strategically relevant satellite operator within Europe. He stressed that advanced optical communications capabilities will play an important role in improving the security and operational independence of critical communications networks in Greece and Cyprus. Through the Hellas Sat 5 satellite program, the company is contributing to the development of technologies that support secure European connectivity and strengthen technological cooperation across partner countries.

Lionel Suchet, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of CNES, stated that deploying the SOLiS optical communications capability aboard Hellas Sat 5 represents an important milestone toward operational ground-to-space optical services. Demonstration activities carried out under the France 2030 framework by Thales Alenia Space, Safran and consortium partners will support the transition of this emerging technology toward commercial and operational applications.

Alcino de Sousa, Senior Vice President for Telecommunications at Thales Alenia Space, noted that the collaboration will support the creation of a highly secure and extremely high-capacity data transmission infrastructure. He highlighted that the SOLiS technology combines multiple optical wavelengths to achieve performance levels approaching one terabit per second, representing a major advance in satellite telecommunications capability.

Jean-Marie Bétermier, Executive Vice President for Space at Safran Electronics & Defense, underlined that the initiative reflects Europe’s commitment to strengthening sovereignty and security through technological innovation. Safran will contribute its experience in high-speed optical communications by providing the demonstration ground station in Cyprus, supporting reliable communications solutions designed for critical missions and strategic applications.

About free-space optics

Free-space optics (FSO) is fast becoming a standard for data transmission in space, offering far superior transmission speeds on the order of 1 terabit per second compared to a few tens of gigabits per second with current satellite communications systems. This technology is expected to revolutionize space communications infrastructure, in the same way that optical fiber has transformed communications here on Earth.

The European Commission’s VERTIGO project and CNES’s Co-Op, DYSCO (Démonstration et sYstème SatCom Optique) and SOLiS projects are focused on research and development, seeking to demonstrate very high-data- rate space optical links transmitting through the atmosphere to connect a multitude of users via multiple orbits, ground facilities and applications.

These developments show that optical communications technology is a good fit for a range of end-to-end applications, including universal internet access, direct and permanent data transmission from Earth observation satellites, private links to datacenters and backup for terrestrial optical fiber in the event of a crisis.

By reducing the number of satellites required in orbit, the introduction of free-space optics will help make orbital infrastructure more sustainable and reduce congestion in the skies.

About SOLiS

SOLiS (Service Optique de Liaisons Spatiales Sécurisées, or secure optical space link service) is a project backed by CNES as part of the space component of the French Government’s France 2030 program. The project aims to demonstrate the technical and economic viability of an optical communications service via geostationary satellites.

Thales Alenia Space is leading the SOLiS project consortium, composed of large industry primes and mid-tier firms (Safran, Bertin Technologies, Exail, Keopsys by Lumibird), SMEs (Cedrat Technologies, Reuniwatt, OGS Technologies), and a research center (ONERA).

SOLiS harnesses technologies developed through the government-backed Optical Communications (Co-Op) project led by CNES and draws on the outcomes of demonstrations delivered for the VERTIGO project funded by the European Commission.

About CNES

CNES (Centre National d’Etudes Spatiales) is the public establishment responsible for proposing French space policy to the Government and implementing it in Europe. It designs and puts satellites in orbit and invents the space systems of tomorrow; it promotes the emergence of new services that are useful in everyday life. CNES, created in 1961, initiates major space projects, launchers and satellites and is the natural partner of industry for pushing innovation. CNES has nearly 2,400 employees, men and women who are passionate about space, which opens up infinite, innovative fields of application; it intervenes in five areas: the Ariane launcher, scientific research, observation, telecommunications and defence. CNES is a major player in technological innovation, economic development and industrial policy in France. It also establishes scientific partnerships and is involved in numerous international projects. France, represented by CNES, is one of the main contributors to the European Space Agency (ESA).

About Hellas Sat

Established in 2001, Hellas Sat is a European satellite operator delivering resilient and secure satellite communications services on a global scale. Licensed by the Hellenic Republic and the Republic of Cyprus, the company holds the exclusive rights to operate the 39° East orbital position. Hellas Sat owns and operates a fleet of three geostationary satellites, supported by two advanced teleports located in Greece and Cyprus. Leveraging this fully integrated space and ground infrastructure, Hellas Sat provides high-reliability connectivity, broadcasting, and mission-critical services to enterprise, government, and defense customers worldwide.

About Safran Electronics & Defense

Safran is an international high-technology group, operating in the aviation (propulsion, equipment and interiors), defense and space markets. Its core purpose is to contribute to a safer, more sustainable world, where air transport is more environmentally friendly, comfortable and accessible. Safran has a global presence, with more than 110,000 employees and revenue of 31.3 billion euros in 2025, and holds, alone or in partnership, global or regional leadership positions in its core markets. Safran is listed on the Euronext Paris stock exchange and is part of the CAC 40 and Euro Stoxx 50 indices.

Safran Electronics & Defense offers its customers on-board intelligence solutions allowing them to understand the environment, to reduce mental load and to guarantee a trajectory, even in critical situations, in all environments: on land, at sea, in the sky or space. The company harnesses the expertise of its 19,000 employees towards these three functions: observe, decide and guide, for the civil and military markets.

About Thales Alenia Space

Drawing on over 40 years of experience and a unique combination of skills, expertise and cultures, Thales Alenia Space delivers cost-effective solutions for telecommunications, navigation, Earth observation, environmental monitoring, exploration, science and orbital infrastructures. Governments and private industry alike count on Thales Alenia Space to design satellite-based systems that provide anytime, anywhere connections and positioning, monitor our planet, enhance management of its resources and explore our Solar System and beyond. Thales Alenia Space sees space as a new horizon, helping build a better, more sustainable life on Earth. A joint venture between Thales (67%) and Leonardo (33%), Thales Alenia Space also teams up with Telespazio to form the Space Alliance, which offers a complete range of solutions including services. Thales Alenia Space posted consolidated revenues of €2.23 billion in 2024 and has more than 8,100 employees in 7 countries with 14 sites in Europe. www.thalesaleniaspace.com

Media Contacts:

Lucie Bâton
Press officer
Safran Electronics & Defense
+33 6 30 27 71 41
lucie.baton@safrangroup.com

Raphaël SART
Head of External Relations & Media
CNES
+33 6 69 54 82 62
raphael.sart@cnes.fr

Vivi PAPATSIMOULI
Hellas Sat
+30 698 292 9679
v.papatsimouli@hellas-sat.net

Tarik LAHLOU
Thales Alenia Space
+33 6 87 95 89 56
tarik.lahlou@thalesaleniaspace.com

Catherine des ARCIS
Thales Alenia Space
+33 6 78 64 63 97
catherine.des-arcis@thalesaleniaspace.com

SOURCE: Safran