HydRON, or High‑thRoughput Optical Network, is a future multi-orbit constellation of communication satellites using laser links, which is being developed by the European Space Agency (ESA).[1][2][3][4][5] The project's goal is to provide real‑time large volume data transfer services between satellites and ground systems at throughput higher than 100 Gbps.[6][7][8] The project is structured in three "elements". The first aims to establish a low Earth orbit constellation, the second aims to extend it to other orbits, and the third aims to create a user-facing segment in coordination with the industry.[2][7][9][10][11][12] HydRON is part of ESA's Advanced Research in Telecommunications Systems (ARTES) programme.[13]
| Operator |  European Space Agency |
|---|---|
| Status | Under development |
| Constellation size | |
| Current usable satellites | 0 |
| Website | https://connectivity.esa.int/archives/partnership-projects/hydron |
History
editOn 1 February 2022, ESA awarded a contract to the German company Mynaric to work on the optical communication system for HydRON.[8][14] On 16 October 2024, ESA awarded a €36 million contract to the Canadian company Kepler Communications to lead Element #1 development.[1][12] On 14 February 2025, ESA awarded a contract (amount undisclosed) to the European company Thales Alenia Space to lead Element #2.[1][15][16] In early 2026, ESA awarded further contracts to Mynaric and Kepler Communications (€18.6 million) to work on Element #3.[2][11][17][18]
See also
editReferences
edit- 1 2 3 Rainbow, Jason (2025-03-13). "ESA lays foundations for the future of data transmission". SpaceNews. Retrieved 2026-04-15.
- 1 2 3 "ESA begins next phase of 'fibre in the sky' optical communications project with Canada". www.esa.int. Retrieved 2026-04-15.
- ↑ Perdigues Armengol, J.; Vasko, C. A.; Acar, G.; Mata Calvo, R.; Arapoglou, P. D.; Altamura, A.; Canuet, L.; Alaluf, D.; Thurnes, D.; Balakier, K.; Hauschildt, H. (2025). Bernard, Frédéric; Karafolas, Nikos; Kubik, Philippe; Minoglou, Kyriaki (eds.). "HydRON: ESA's end-to-end optical satellite communication system is moving towards implementation". Proceedings Volume 13699, International Conference on Space Optics — ICSO 2024. SPIE: 272. doi:10.1117/12.3075407. ISBN 978-1-5106-9347-0.
- ↑ Vasko, Christopher; Perdigués Armengol, Josep Maria; Acar, Guray; Arapoglou, Pantelis-Daniel; El-Dali, Wael; Mezzasoma, Silvia; Politano, Monica; Sodnik, Zoran; Elia, Carlo; Hauschildt, Harald (2022-03-04). Hemmati, Hamid; Robinson, Bryan S. (eds.). "HydRON: Internet backbone beyond the clouds". Proceedings Volume 11993, Free-Space Laser Communications XXXIV. SPIE: 25. doi:10.1117/12.2606232. ISBN 978-1-5106-4857-9.
- ↑ Hauschildt, Harald; Elia, Carlo; Moeller, Ludwig; Perdigués Armengol, Josep Maria (2019-03-04). Hemmati, Hamid; Boroson, Don M. (eds.). "HydRON: High throughput optical network". Proceedings of the SPIE. SPIE: 18. doi:10.1117/12.2511391. ISBN 978-1-5106-2462-7.
- ↑ Patton, Tom. "Multi-Orbit Optical Communication Network Demo Planned". www.exterrajsc.com. Retrieved 2026-04-15.
- 1 2 "HydRON: Transforming How Data-Collecting Satellites Communicate". www.techbriefs.com. 2025-06-01. Retrieved 2026-04-15.
- 1 2 SpaceRef (2022-02-01). "Mynaric selected by ESA to investigate optical technologies for next generation high-throughput optical inter-satellite links". SpaceNews. Retrieved 2026-04-15.
- ↑ Jason Rainbow, Emma Gatti (2026-04-15). "Kepler to lead interoperability tests for ESA's HydRON optical relay network". SpaceNews. Retrieved 2026-04-15.
- ↑ Rainbow, Jason (2024-10-16). "ESA picks Kepler-led group to develop LEO optical data relay network". SpaceNews. Retrieved 2026-04-15.
- 1 2 Boucher, Marc (2026-04-15). "Kepler awarded $30.1 million prime contract for European Space Agency HydRON optical network". SpaceQ Media Inc. Retrieved 2026-04-15.
- 1 2 Careless, James (2024-10-16). "ESA Selects Kepler for HydRON Space-Based Terabit Broadband Network". SpaceQ Media Inc. Retrieved 2026-04-15.
- ↑ "HydRON: Satellites using lasers for faster data sharing". www.esa.int. Retrieved 2026-04-15.
- ↑ "Mynaric selected by ESA". Astrodrom. Retrieved 2026-04-15.
- ↑ "Thales Alenia Space and ESA sign contract for HydRON to demonstrate first multi-orbit optical communication network | Thales Alenia Space". www.thalesaleniaspace.com. 2025-02-14. Retrieved 2026-04-15.
- ↑ Nova, Redazione Agenzia (2025-02-14). "Aerospace: Thales Alenia Space signs contract with Esa for HydRon demonstrator system". Agenzia Nova. Retrieved 2026-04-15.
- ↑ Whitney, Jamie (2026-03-12). "Mynaric to test laser communications terminals in ESA HydRON optical network demonstrations". Military Aerospace. Retrieved 2026-04-15.
- ↑ "Mynaric Selected for ESA HydRON User Segment Demonstration Activities under Element 3". Mynaric. Retrieved 2026-04-15.
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