Space laser communications developer Astrolight signed a deal with space return logistics group Atmos Space Cargo to jointly demonstrate what they both hope to be the first in-flight optical link between a satellite and a spacecraft during re-entry.

“Atmos is working to give Europe independent and routine commercial access to return from space,” Atmos Space Cargo CEO Sebastian Klaus explained in a statement. “As cargo-return missions grow more autonomous and data-intensive, real-time connectivity across the entire mission cycle is becoming increasingly important. Our partnership with Astrolight is a step toward integrating laser communication into [re-entry vehicle] Phoenix as a strategic layer for payload monitoring, autonomous de-orbit, and re-entry operations.”

The mission will integrate Lithuania-based Astrolight’s Atlas-X laser terminals aboard both Atmos Phoenix re-entry pods connecting to a third-party low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite to establish data transfer of system and mission data at up to 2.5 Gb/s before and during re-entry.

Re-entry vehicles are used to return space materials to Earth at a lower cost point than relying on a conventional spacecraft. The technology is a key part of the experimental in-orbit manufacturing supply chain, which is exploring the production of crystals for pharmaceuticals and semiconductors under microgravity, with the potential to explore the creation of new alloys and other futurist principles.

Germany-based Atmos recognizes re-entry logistics to be a crucial solution in the emerging in-orbit and deep space economy, a sector with decisively more American investors and startups than European.

Atmos and Astrolight agree these re-entry missions can benefit from the intersatellite link (ISL) technology becoming ubiquitous for satellites to enable faster transmission of mission developments.

ISL transmission has become highly favored because it sidesteps the increasingly complex world of radio spectrum congestion; all but nullifies the threat of detection, interception, and jamming; and is considerably faster. It has not replaced radio frequency transmission for satellites because it is less practical for space-to-ground purposes – the most important element – since lasers are disrupted by wind patterns and clouds.

Atmos commend the work of the European Space Agency (ESA)’s LEO Cargo Return Service (LCRS) initiative, a program promoting the return of cargo from low-Earth orbit for the European market. That program's first phase awarded support for the development of return capsules developed by Thales Alenia Space and The Exploration Company. Atmos has yet to garner any LCRS financial support.