The first study phase of ESA's HydRON project has been successfully completed

Fiber in the sky for connectivity services thanks to laser communications

21 July 2021

Thales Alenia Space, a joint venture between Thales (67%) and Leonardo (33%), has successfully completed the first study phase of the European Space Agency's (ESA) HydRON ( High[1]thRoughput Optical space Network) project. Laser communications are revolutionising satellite communications and ESA’s HydRON optical network will seamlessly link satellites to fiber networks on the ground, enabling reliable, instant connectivity for European citizens across the world. HydRON is a high[1]throughput optical space network and forms part of ESA's ScyLight programme for secure and laser communication technology.

This first phase, HyPha Study, defined early system requirements and explored network architectures, as well as the technologies necessary for future implementation. Subsequently, activities will be carried out to build first IOD (In-Orbit Demonstrator) flight demonstrators to test and mature space optical network solutions for satellite and terrestrial operators usage, that will be operating in the future market.

For this study, Thales Alenia Space, reinforced by its expertise in the production of optical technologies for space developed in Zurich, coordinated a work group, involving Telespazio, a joint venture between Leonardo 67% and Thales 33%, as a satellite operator, Open Fiber as the “wholesale-only” infrastructure operator, providing access and transport networks, entirely in optical fiber to more than 200 operators in Italy, Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies, an academic institution with expertise in free space communication systems FSO (Free Space Optics).

This initiative contributes to Europe's technological independence in connectivity services through space (Fiber in the sky / Internet beyond the Cloud(s)) and to the expansion of its capacities towards new types of services and applications (Cloud in the sky, IP Routing On-Board Satellite, extra-territorial service capacities, etc.)