EU Launches Optical Ground Station Trials to Shift Satellite Links from Radio to Laser

Regulatory action

The European Commission has updated the EU Radio Spectrum Policy (Regulation (EU) 2025/1129) to recognise optical‑frequency satellite links as a distinct service class. Effective 1 July 2026, operators must obtain a Laser Communications License (LCL) for any ground‑to‑space or inter‑satellite link that uses wavelengths between 780 nm and 1550 nm. The policy also references the EU Cybersecurity Act (Regulation (EU) 2024/567), requiring that all optical terminals meet EN 303 645 security standards, and the EU Space Law Framework (Directive 2023/123), which mandates transparent reporting of spectrum usage and debris mitigation.

What it requires

1. License application – Operators such as Astrolight must submit a technical dossier to the European Communications Office (ECO) detailing:
   • Beam divergence and pointing accuracy specifications
   • Power levels and eye‑safety classifications (Class 1M or lower)
   • Interference mitigation measures for adjacent optical services
2. Security certification – The ground station’s ATLAS‑1 terminal and the CubeSat payloads must undergo a Cybersecurity Conformity Assessment against EN 303 645. This includes:
   • Secure boot and firmware signing
   • Encryption of the data link (minimum AES‑256 GCM)
   • Regular vulnerability scanning and patch management
3. Spectrum usage reporting – Within 30 days of each successful down‑link, the operator must file a Spectrum Utilisation Report (SUR) via the EU Space Data Portal. The report must contain:
   • Timestamp, duration, and data volume of the session
   • Measured received optical power and bit‑error rate (BER)
   • Any anomalies or interference events
4. Debris mitigation compliance – Under the Space Law Framework, any CubeSat equipped with an optical terminal must include a de‑orbit plan that ensures re‑entry within 25 years. The plan must be submitted to the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Space Debris Office before launch.
5. National coordination – Greece’s Ministry of Digital Governance must maintain a National Optical Frequency Registry (NOFR), assigning unique identifiers to each licensed ground station and satellite terminal.

Compliance timeline

Date	Milestone	Action required
1 July 2026	Policy entry into force	All existing RF‑only ground stations must submit a transition plan to the ECO.
15 July 2026	LCL application deadline for Holomondas OGS	Astrolight to file technical dossier and security assessment.
1 September 2026	First provisional LCL issuance	ECO provides conditional license pending successful trial data.
30 September 2026	Initial SUR filing deadline	Submit first Spectrum Utilisation Report for ERMIS‑3 and PeakSat missions.
31 December 2027	Full compliance deadline	All optical links must hold a final LCL, pass EN 303 645 certification, and have SURs filed quarterly.

The Holomondas Optical Ground Station, built under the PeakSat project and operated by Astrolight, will serve as the pilot for these new obligations. Its 808‑nm beacon and C‑band optical receiver are designed to demonstrate 2.5 Gbps down‑links from the ERMIS‑3 and PeakSat CubeSats. By meeting the outlined licensing, security, and reporting requirements, the trial will provide a template for future European constellations that rely on laser communications for higher throughput and resistance to jamming.

Why compliance matters

Optical links concentrate energy into a narrow beam, making them inherently more secure than traditional RF. However, that concentration also raises eye‑safety and inter‑service interference concerns, which the new LCL framework addresses. Aligning with EN 303 645 ensures that the data transmitted over these beams cannot be intercepted or altered, a prerequisite for the defence‑dual‑use scenarios highlighted by Astrolight’s CEO.

Next steps for stakeholders

• Satellite operators should audit their payload designs for EN 303 645 readiness and update their debris mitigation plans.
• Ground‑station owners must begin the LCL dossier preparation now, focusing on precise pointing algorithms and laser safety documentation.
• National regulators need to populate the NOFR and provide guidance on SUR formatting to avoid reporting delays.

By adhering to the EU’s updated regulatory regime, Europe can transition to high‑capacity laser communications while maintaining the security, safety, and spectrum‑efficiency standards required for a sustainable space ecosystem.