What Astrolight does

Astrolight is a Lithuanian private company headquartered in Vilnius that designs and builds laser-based optical communication systems for aerospace and defence customers. Its product portfolio comprises four core terminal families (ATLAS-1, ATLAS-X, ATLAS-2 for space-to-ground and inter-satellite links, and POLARIS for naval applications) and a line of Optical Ground Stations (OGS-2.5, Holomondas in Greece, and a facility under construction in Greenland). The underlying technology uses 808 nm infrared laser links to deliver gigabit-per-second throughput (up to 2.5 Gbps at ground stations, up to 1 Gbps per terminal), with stated performance of up to 100x faster data rates than radio frequency systems, 10x ground-station throughput at 70% lower cost per gigabyte, and immunity to jamming and interception. The company targets two primary customer segments: defence and military (NATO member-state militaries, naval forces) and government space programs (ESA-funded missions, national satellite initiatives), with satellite operators as a secondary segment. The business model is B2B/B2G enterprise field sales combining hardware sales of proprietary laser communication terminals and ground stations with revenue from ESA-funded R&D and NATO demonstration contracts; pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed. Astrolight's go-to-market leverages direct procurement relationships, consortium partnerships within ESA programs such as HydRON Element 3, and NATO defence exercises as proof-of-concept channels. The company has raised €2.8 million in seed funding led by Balnord (May 2025) with participation from EIFO and Coinvest Capital, and was selected for NATO's Defence Innovation Accelerator as one of the top 10 innovators.

Name

Astrolight

Legal name

UAB "Astrolight"

Website

https://astrolightspace.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2022

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Astrolight is a Lithuanian space-tech company that builds laser communication terminals and optical ground stations for secure, jam-resistant satellite and naval links, selling primarily to ESA, NATO member-state militaries, and government space programs across Europe.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Laser Communication Systems

NAICS

Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing (336414), Satellite Telecommunications (51741)

SIC

Radio & Tv Broadcasting & Communications Equipment (3663), Communications Equipment, Nec (3669), Guided Missiles & Space Vehicles & Parts (3760)

akta.pro primary industry

Space Payloads & Instruments (Sensors, Comms, EO/IR) (IMABACAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Military Space Systems (Defense Spacecraft) (IMABACAC), Optoelectronic Receivers & Transceivers (Photodetectors/Optical Modules) (HDAHALAM)

Keywords

• Laser communication systems
• Optical satellite communication
• Space-to-ground terminals
• Naval C3 data links
• Optical ground stations

Headquarters

HQ city

Vilnius

HQ country

Lithuania

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Operations

Revenue model

1. Laser Communication Hardware Sales: Sale of proprietary laser communication terminals (ATLAS-1, ATLAS-X, ATLAS-2, POLARIS) and optical ground stations to defense, government, and satellite operator customers.
2. ESA and Government Contracts: Revenue from ESA-funded projects including HydRON Element 3 and Greenland optical ground station construction, as well as NATO demonstration programs.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels2 records

Core offering

Astrolight develops and manufactures laser-based optical communication systems for aerospace and defense applications. Its portfolio includes the ATLAS-series space-to-ground and space-to-space laser communication terminals (ATLAS-1, ATLAS-2, ATLAS-X), the POLARIS naval C3 data link for unjammable ship communications, and OGS optical ground stations for receiving satellite data at gigabit speeds. These products serve defense ministries, NATO forces, government space agencies such as ESA, and commercial satellite operators.

Product overview

Astrolight offers a portfolio of laser communication products for space and defense applications. The product line includes ATLAS-series terminals (ATLAS-1, ATLAS-2, ATLAS-X) for space-to-ground and space-to-space communications, POLARIS for naval/military C3 data links, and OGS (Optical Ground Stations) for receiving satellite data. These products form an integrated optical communication infrastructure enabling secure, high-bandwidth, jam-resistant connectivity across military, defense, and commercial space applications.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ATLAS-X: Laser communication terminal for space applications, part of ESA's HydRON Element 3 mission
• ATLAS-2
• POLARIS
• OGS-2.5

Products and services

• ATLAS-1 Laser Communication Terminal Space-to-ground laser communication terminal offering data rates up to 1 Gbps, providing 100x faster speeds than traditional radio frequency systems and immunity to electronic interference, jamming, and interception. Designed for satellite operators, defense customers, and government space programs.
• ATLAS-X Laser Communication Terminal Advanced laser communication terminal for inter-satellite and space-to-ground links across LEO and GEO orbits, integrated into ESA's HydRON optical communication network project as part of the world's first optical multi-orbit transport network.
• ATLAS-2 High Data Rate Terminal High data rate space-to-ground and space-to-space laser communication terminal designed for demanding satellite communication applications across LEO and GEO orbits.
• POLARIS Naval Laser Communication System Naval laser communication system providing unjammable, encrypted gigabit-per-second data connections for maintaining radio silence in contested environments. Designed for naval forces requiring secure Command, Control, and Communications (C3) data links.
• OGS-2.5 Optical Ground Station Optical Ground Station equipped with advanced laser technology for secure, high-speed data transfers from LEO satellites, offering more than 10x throughput of traditional RF stations at 70% lower cost per gigabyte. Reduces download times from hours to under a minute using infrared laser links at 808 nanometers.

Quantifiable outcome

• Up to 100x faster data transmission speeds compared to traditional radio frequency systems
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and supporting.

• Kepler CommunicationsflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 April 2026Kepler leads a consortium including Astrolight on ESA's HydRON Element 3 (€18.6 million contract) to develop the user-terminal segment. Astrolight provides ATLAS-X laser communication terminals hosted aboard a Kepler satellite for in-orbit demonstration of inter-satellite and space-to-ground links.
• European Space Agency (ESA) / DenmarkcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Joint construction of laser-based Optical Ground Station in Kangerlussuaq, Greenland, funded through ESA's Optical and Quantum Communications ScyLight programme. The facility will be the northernmost of its kind, enhancing Europe's satellite communication capacity and technological independence.
• European Space Agency (ESA)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerESA funds multiple Astrolight projects including HydRON Element 3, Greek IOD/IOV mission (PeakSat, ERMIS-3), Greenland Optical Ground Station, and Optical and Quantum Communications ScyLight programme.
• Aristotle University of ThessalonikicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLed the PeakSat project building the Holomondas Optical Ground Station in Greece with ESA backing and Astrolight's ATLAS-1 optical communication terminals for the Greek IOD/IOV mission program.
• ESA HydRON Consortium Partners (Vyoma, TESAT, MBRYONICS)supportingTechnology or IntegrationMultiple European optical communication terminal providers working together under ESA's HydRON program to validate interoperability of different optical communication technologies across satellites in LEO and GEO orbits.
• NATOflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerAstrolight's POLARIS laser communications terminal was demonstrated at NATO's largest unmanned maritime exercise in Portugal, proving jam-resistant connectivity in contested environments. Previously selected as Top 10 innovator in NATO Defence Innovation Accelerator.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• TESAT Spacecom: German manufacturer of laser communication terminals for space-to-ground and inter-satellite links, with deep flight heritage. Direct competitor within the ESA HydRON consortium and across European defense/space programs.
• MBRYONICS: Irish optoelectronics specialist building optical communication terminals for LEO/GEO and HydRON Element 3. Closely comparable product offering, customer set, and ESA program participation as Astrolight.
• Skyloom Global: US-based provider of optical inter-satellite link terminals and ground services for LEO constellations. Direct competitor in the space-to-space optical comms segment targeting commercial and government customers.
• Kepler Communications: Canadian satellite operator leading the HydRON Element 3 consortium hosting Astrolight's ATLAS-X payloads. Comparable as a customer/partner and as a developer of optical and RF space communication systems for government and commercial use.
• BridgeComm: US provider of optical communications and ground station services (formerly BridgeSat). Directly comparable ground-station infrastructure offering for LEO optical downlinks.

Emerging players

• Cailabs: French deep-tech company developing laser communication terminals and adaptive optics for free-space optical links. Comparable emerging optical comm product targeting both space and terrestrial defense markets.

Broad incumbents

• Thales Alenia Space: Major European space prime offering satellite platforms, payloads, and optical communications solutions across civil and defense programs. Competes with Astrolight as a broad incumbent in the same ESA/NATO procurement environments.
• General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems: US defense prime providing laser communication terminals for the SDA Tranche programs and space defense customers. Comparable incumbent for space-based optical comms serving government and defense end markets.
• Ball Aerospace: US aerospace prime with a laser comm terminal heritage (CCSDS-compatible). Competes in space-to-ground optical comms and government payload markets as a well-capitalized incumbent.
• SDA Optical Terminal Suppliers (e.g., CACI / SA Photonics lineage): Incumbent US suppliers (CACI following the SA Photonics acquisition) of optical communication terminals for the Space Development Agency's proliferated LEO architecture. Comparable as established laser comm incumbents targeting defense procurement.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors4 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Astrolight