Astrolight and ATMOS Space Cargo to test laser links during spacecraft re-entry

Astrolight and ATMOS Space Cargo have signed a memorandum of understanding to conduct a planned demonstration in 2027 aimed at establishing the first in-flight optical communications link between a re-entry spacecraft and an orbiting satellite.

During atmospheric re-entry, vehicles encounter extreme thermal and plasma environments that can degrade or interrupt conventional radio-frequency telemetry. To address this, the companies intend to use Astrolight’s ATLAS-X laser communication terminals on ATMOS’s PHOENIX re-entry vehicle and a low Earth orbit satellite. This setup aims to provide real-time data transmission at speeds up to 2.5 gigabits per second, offering continuous insight into vehicle health, guidance, and payload status.

Successful implementation of laser-based optical links could advance high-speed connectivity for autonomous cargo-return operations, supporting the return of scientific samples, in-orbit manufactured products, and critical hardware.