SES demonstrates bi-directional optical link on K2 Gravitas satellite
SES · K2 Space · Cailabs · Mynaric · Thales Alenia Space
SES and partners sent video messages over an optical ground-to-space link using its meoSphere pathfinder payload.
what happened
SES said it demonstrated a bi-directional optical communications link between its meoSphere Pathfinder 1 payload aboard the K2 Space-built K2 Gravitas satellite and Cailabs' optical ground station in Rennes, France, repeatedly transmitting video messages, including from SES CEO Adel Al-Saleh, over the link. K2 Gravitas, launched in March 2026 on K2 Space's Mega-class platform, carries a Mynaric Condor optical terminal; Thales Alenia Space handled the mission's system assembly, integration, testing and operations, while SES designed, developed and operated the optical mission itself. SES SVP of MEO Programs Carmel Ortiz said the milestone "brings us closer to realizing the optical architecture that will help power our future meoSphere network, delivering greater flexibility, security, and capacity for our customers' most demanding connectivity requirements."
why it matters
Optical links promise higher-bandwidth, harder-to-intercept connectivity than today's RF feeder links; a working demonstration on an operational MEO payload gives SES an early data point as satellite operators and defense customers weigh optical crosslinks for next-generation networks. SES said it plans next to extend link duration and push speed and performance to inform future Pathfinder missions.
signal-to-noise
quick facts
- Companies
- SES, K2 Space, Cailabs, Mynaric, Thales Alenia Space
- Category
- product
- Impact
- notable
- SNR
- 5 / 5
- Event date
- 2026-11-04
- Published
- 2026-11-05 00:16 UTC