The European Space Agency (ESA) is Europe’s gateway to space. Its mission is to shape the development of Europe’s space capability and ensure that investment in space continues to deliver benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world.
Find out more about space activities in our 23 Member States, and understand how ESA works together with their national agencies, institutions and organisations.
Exploring our Solar System and unlocking the secrets of the Universe
Go to topicProtecting life and infrastructure on Earth and in orbit
Go to topicUsing space to benefit citizens and meet future challenges on Earth
Go to topicMaking space accessible and developing the technologies for the future
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Using lasers to communicate helps speed the flow of information to people around the world, as well as improving the privacy of messages.
Demand for ultra-broadband digital connectivity has increased significantly during the few past years, and the coronavirus pandemic has demonstrated that it is now essential for families and businesses to have a fast connection.
By integrating seamlessly with terrestrial optical fibre networks, optical satellite systems will empower telecommunications infrastructures to be able to meet growing demand, support next generation 5G connectivity and enable new, innovative applications and services using artificial intelligence and the internet-of-things.
A space-enabled optical network will ensure that people can connect even in remote areas.
Together with its industrial partners, ESA has studied how to create a network among satellites in constellation using lasers both in space as well as to the ground, linking directly into optical fibre networks.
The vision – called HydRON – is a high-throughput space optical network and forms part of ESA’s ScyLight programme for secure and laser communication technology.