Signal
In July to August 2025, the European Space Agency (ESA) completed four successful deep-space optical communication links with NASA’s Psyche mission, operating over 300 million kilometres away. The campaign used ESA’s ground laser systems at Kryoneri and Helmos observatories in Greece, supporting NASA’s Deep Space Optical Communications payload. Data was transmitted at up to 1.8 Mbps, including a final demonstration video. The tests mark Europe’s first independent deep-space optical link. ESA will present its proposed ASSIGN programme at the November 2025 Ministerial Council, aiming to build sovereign, high-capacity optical space networks.
Implications
Optical communications are essential for Moon and Mars missions, supporting high-volume scientific and commercial data flows. ESA’s achievement proves Europe can operate independently in interplanetary connectivity, reducing reliance on US assets. This positions Europe as a peer contributor to future space-internet architectures and lays groundwork for quantum-secure comms and Mars relay networks. Sovereign optical infrastructure is no longer optional—it is tied directly to exploration sovereignty and geopolitical weight in space.
Strategic Takeaway
Control of space communications is control of space power. Europe has signalled it intends to hold that ground.
Investor Implications
European aerospace primes like Airbus (EPA: AIR) and Thales Alenia Space (Thales, EPA: HO) are positioned to lead in sovereign optical space networks. Optical ground station providers, including Tesat-Spacecom (Airbus subsidiary), will see expanding demand. SES (EPA: SESG) and Eutelsat (EPA: ETL) may integrate optical links into commercial satellite networks. Startups in laser comms and quantum-secure links, such as Mynaric (NASDAQ: MYNA), are also well-placed to benefit as ESA funds sovereign connectivity infrastructure.
Watchpoints
November 2025 → ESA Ministerial Council, where the ASSIGN optical space network proposal will be presented.
Q2 2026 → Expected deployment roadmap for European sovereign optical ground stations.
Source: esa.int
The signal is the high ground. Hold it.
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