TESAT LAUNCHES SCOT20 ONBOARD PLANETEK HELLAS OPTISAT

We have a liftoff: Successful launch of our SCOT20 Optical Communication Terminal on Planetek Hellas OptiSat. This milestone represents a significant step forward in the development of optical laser communications and marks a significant step in the advancement of our technology.

Laser Focused: The Greek Connectivity Programme and the Future of Optical Laser Communications

The Greek Connectivity Programme, implemented by the European Space Agency (ESA) on behalf of the Hellenic Ministry of Digital Governance, is set to conduct a groundbreaking test campaign for optical laser communications. This ambitious initiative involves four CubeSat missions with five satellites, that launched successfully today, March 30 at 12:10 PM with the SpaceX Transporter 16 Mission from Space Launch Complex 4E, Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA, onboard a Falcon 9 Block 5.

1. A Collaborative Endeavor:
   This campaign is a collaborative effort, bringing together four Greek CubeSat missions equipped with three different payloads. The primary goal is to demonstrate state-of-the-art laser communications capabilities, which are essential to Greece’s space strategy. The missions involved are:
   •    OptiSat: A 6U CubeSat managed by Planetek Hellas, equipped with a TESAT SCOT20 optical laser communication terminal payload.
   •    Hellenic Space Dawn comprises of two 8U satellites, managed by EMTech Space.
   •    PeakSat is a 3U CubeSat developed by the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.
   •    ERMIS-3 is a 6U satellite and a cornerstone mission of the Greek Connectivity Programme. It was built by the ERMIS consortium, led by the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA).
   
   
2. Mission Factsheet: OptiSat:
   OptiSat is among Greece’s first CubeSat projects to demonstrate secure laser-based communications from orbit. This mission highlights TESAT's capability to provide high-performance, compact optical communication solutions for micro- and nanosatellites.
   
   
3. Key Features of the SCOT20 Payload:
   •    High-Speed Data Transmission: Using laser light instead of radio frequency (RF) signals, the SCOT20 supports data rates up to 1 Gbps.
   •    Enhanced Security: The SCOT20 provides enhanced security against interception or jamming, making it ideal for missions requiring high-speed and secure data transmission.
   •    Standards Compliance: The SCOT20 follows major standards in optical communication, such as SDA and ESTOL.
4. Collaboration and Innovation:
   The OptiSat mission serves as a platform for collaboration with both Greek and European partners. The missions, operated by Planetek Hellas, EMTech Space, the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, and the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens will conduct in-orbit-demonstrations of three different laser payload designs. This collaboration brings together a strong industrial and technological ecosystem, driving innovation in the space sector.
   
   
5. Looking Ahead:
   The Greek Connectivity Programme represents a significant step forward in the development of optical laser communications. By leveraging the capabilities of the SCOT20 payload and fostering collaboration among international partners, this initiative paves the way for secure, high-speed data transmission in space.

“Our SCOT20 launch is an important step in making optical communications available to the small satellite segment,” said Sven Rettig, CCO of TESAT. “With its compact design and strong performance, SCOT20 sets new benchmarks for MicroSat and NanoSat applications.”

We are excited to follow the progress of this mission and its contributions to Greece’s space strategy. Stay tuned for updates!

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Victoria-Louisa Kirstein
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