Mynaric, a leading provider of laser communications terminals for air, space and ground applications, has been awarded a demonstration project by the European Space Agency (ESA) under Element 3 of its HydRON (High Throughput Optical Network) Demonstration System. As part of the HydRON User Segment, the project will support in-orbit testing, validation and interoperability demonstrations of laser communications technologies within ESA’s emerging optical data relay network, which is intended to form a foundation for future European space communications infrastructure.
“The HydRON Demonstration System provides a unique opportunity to test and refine laser communications technologies in an operational network environment,” said Joachim Horwath, Chief Technology Officer at Mynaric. “Through these demonstrations, we can further mature our technology, address interoperability requirements, and continue expanding our product portfolio to meet the evolving needs of multi-orbit and multi-mission space networks.”
HydRON, which belongs to ESA’s Optical and Quantum Communications – ScyLight programme, is a project to establish a high-capacity, secure optical data relay infrastructure in space, supporting Europe’s long-term space connectivity objectives and providing ESA Member States and industry with a unique in-orbit test and validation environment. The Demonstration System is designed to enable experimentation with new optical terminals, service concepts and mission architectures, as well as interoperability across multiple orbital regimes and potential international partner networks.
Under Element 3, Mynaric will provide laser communications technology for user-segment demonstrations, supporting the validation of optical links and network integration concepts under realistic operational conditions. These activities may include the evaluation of new terminal concepts, preparation for future hosted payload opportunities, and support for emerging service use cases interconnected with the HydRON network.
“The selection of Mynaric for the HydRON User Segment activities reflects ESA’s confidence in our technological expertise and our ability to execute on complex optical communications programs,” said Andreas Reif, Chief Restructuring Officer of Mynaric. “It represents an important milestone as we continue to strengthen the company, expand our role within Europe’s space infrastructure, and position Mynaric for sustainable growth as a key contributor to future European and global space and defense networks.”
“With HydRON, we’re aiming for a world-first optical network that allows for fast, terabit-per-second capacity communications with no interference. The project will offer a scalable capacity that will allow for reliable and seamless global connectivity, designed to benefit even the most remote of locations,” said Laurent Jaffart, Director of Resilience, Navigation and Connectivity at ESA. “In the current geopolitical climate, resilient communications are more important than ever, and with Mynaric, we’re taking the next step in delivering an infrastructure that promotes interoperability, reliability and security for a wide range of satellite communication services.”
The project also supports HydRON’s multi-orbit vision, enabling the exploration of optical communications across different orbital regimes, including Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and Medium Earth Orbit (MEO), in support of future networked space architectures and services. The HydRON Demonstration System will contribute to ESA’s broader roadmap for optical networking in space and support future institutional and commercial mission concepts that will rely on resilient, interoperable European space communications infrastructure.
Previously, Mynaric was awarded a contract under HydRON Element 2; this phase establishes a satellite collector in low Earth orbit (LEO) that connects different orbital layers using optical technology. In this element, Mynaric will participate by developing and supplying laser communications terminals across space and ground segments to support multi-orbit connectivity and the testing of multiple data rates.
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