Greece achieves first laser-based optical communication with ERMIS-3 satellite

Greek research institutions and universities have successfully conducted the first optical communication link between the ERMIS-3 nanosatellite and a ground station located on Mount Holomon in Chalkidiki. Utilizing infrared laser technology rather than traditional radio waves, the ERMIS-3 CubeSat—developed by the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA)—established a high-speed data link with a telescope operated by the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTh).

The project, part of the National Micro-satellite Program, demonstrates the ability to transfer large volumes of data more quickly and securely from space. This technology is critical for Earth observation, providing timely data for disaster management, such as monitoring wildfires and floods, as well as environmental and agricultural tracking.

The successful tests follow previous efforts by the European Space Agency (ESA) and pave the way for future international collaborations, including planned tests with NASA’s Psyche spacecraft at Greek observatories in Helmos and Kryoneri in 2025. The initiative involved multiple partners, including the Greek Ministry of Digital Governance, the Hellenic Space Center, and the Lithuanian company Astrolight.