Hellas Sat, CNES, Thales Alenia Space and Safran sign a framework cooperation agreement to develop a pioneering optical communications system for the future Hellas Sat 5 satellite
Cyprus, February 26, 2026 – Operator Hellas Sat, the French Space Agency (CNES), Thales Alenia Space - a joint venture between Thales (67%) and Leonardo (33%) - and Safran have signed a framework cooperation agreement to develop a next-generation optical communications system to be hosted on the future Hellas Sat 5 geostationary telecommunications satellite and the associated Optical ground station to be deployed in Cyprus.
This partnership will deliver ultra-high-performance, very high-throughput data transfer services from geostationary orbit, enabling faster, more secure and more resilient satellite communications for critical applications. It is built on CNES’s SOLiS project1, led by Thales Alenia Space as part of the space component of the France 2030 program, and will demonstrate very high-data-rate laser communications services through the atmosphere.
Under this European cooperation, Thales Alenia Space will supply the SOLiS system and the onboard optical payload for the Hellas Sat 5 geostationary telecommunications satellite. Safran will provide a prototype commercial (“pilot”) ground station, which will be installed at Hellas Sat ’s teleport in Cyprus (CyOGS). This pilot station will communicate with CNES’s FROGS station already operating at the Côte d’Azur Observatory on the Mediterranean coast. This communications system will be designed to enable interoperability with other Satellite optical communications systems under development.
Poised to revolutionize satellite telecommunications, free-space optical communications could become a new standard for secure, space-based data transmission, thanks to greatly enhanced capabilities that can deliver data rates on the order of a terabit per second — despite the distances involved and disruptions caused by atmospheric turbulences. It is designed to make intercontinental networks more resilient, as terrestrial and subsea optical fiber links are increasingly subject to sabotage. In this respect, geostationary telecommunications satellites are a proven solution: cost-effective and offering continuous coverage for massive, ultra-secure data transfers between users on the ground.
People standing (from left to right): Dimitrios Terzis, Secretary General for Research and Innovation, Greek Ministry of Development; Nikos Christodoulides President of the Republic of Cyprus; Stavros Stavrou President of Cyprus Chamber of Commerce & Industry
The cooperation agreement was signed during a special ceremony held at the Battlefield Redefined 2026 Conference (Nicosia, Cyprus), being an event co-organized with DG DEFIS of the European Commission οn the occasion of the Cypriot Presidency of the European Union. During this significant event, Greek and Cypriot ministers and representatives from Hellas Sat, CNES, Thales Alenia Space and Safran, as well as the National Observatory of Athens, the Hellenic Space Center (the Hellenic Space Agency) and a number of Cypriot and Greek ministerial bodies and governmental authorities, as well as significant space stakeholders, participated thus emphasizing the European character and geopolitical symbolism of the said initiative.
Christodoulos Protopapas, CEO of Hellas Sat, said: “The cooperation with CNES, Thales Alenia Space and Safran is a strong endorsement of Hellas Sat as a resilient, credible and strategic European satellite operator. Working alongside leading European space institutions and industrial champions reinforces the trust, added value and international standing of Hellas Sat.
Next Generation optical satellite communications are of strategic importance for Greece and Cyprus, enhancing the resilience, security and sovereignty of critical national and governmental communications. Through the Hellas Sat 5 program, Hellas Sat actively contributes to the development of next-generation technologies that strengthen Europe’s secure connectivity and strategic autonomy.
This partnership, bringing together France, Greece and Cyprus, reflects the strong European spirit of cooperation and technological progress thus demonstrating how joint innovation can support long-term technological leadership at both national and European level.”
“The opportunity to fly and operate the SOLiS system in cooperation with Hellas Sat is a major step towards the adoption of free-space optics for very high throughput Ground-to-Space communications. The service demonstration carried out in the frame of the France 2030 program by Thales Alenia Space, Safran and their SOLiS partners is key to qualify first operational applications to be offered by this disruptive technology.” said Lionel Suchet, Deputy Chief Executive Officer f rom CNES.
“We’re delighted to work with Hellas Sat, CNES and Safran to develop this optical communications system — a key building block in the creation of a secure, very high-throughput data transmission network,” said Alcino de Sousa, Senior Vice President, Telecommunications at Thales Alenia Space. “This partnership marks the start of a new era for telecommunications services. By combining multiple wavelengths, the SOLiS system will deliver unmatched performance, approaching 1 terabit per second.”
“We are proud to take part in this European cooperation, which places innovation at the service of sovereignty and the security of strategic communications. Safran will contribute its recognized expertise in very high-speed optical links by providing the pilot ground station in Cyprus. This project perfectly illustrates our commitment to supporting European autonomy and delivering reliable solutions for the most critical applications in an ever-evolving environment”, said Jean-Marie Bétermier EVP Space for Safran Electronics & Defense.
About free-space optics
Free-space optics (FSO) is fast becoming a standard for data transmission in space, offering far superior transmission speeds on the order of 1 terabit per second compared to a few tens of gigabits per second with current satellite communications systems. This technology is expected to revolutionize space communications infrastructure, in the same way that optical fiber has transformed communications here on Earth.
The European Commission’s VERTIGO project and CNES’s Co-Op, DYSCO (Démonstration et sYstème SatCom Optique) and SOLiS projects are focused on research and development, seeking to demonstrate very high -data- rate space optical links transmitting through the atmosphere to connect a multitude of users via multiple orbits, ground facilities and applications.
These developments show that optical communications technology is a good fit for a range of end -to-end applications, including universal internet access, direct and permanent data transmission from Earth observation satellites, private links to datacenters and backup for terrestrial optical fiber in the event of a crisis.
By reducing the number of satellites required in orbit, the introduction of free -space optics will help make orbital infrastructure more sustainable and reduce congestion in the skies.
About SOLiS
SOLiS (Service Optique de Liaisons Spatiales Sécurisées, or secure optical space link service) is a project backed by CNES as part of the space component of the French Government’s France 2030 program. The project aims to demonstrate the technical and economic viability of an optical communications service via geostationary satellites.
Thales Alenia Space is leading the SOLiS project consortium, composed of large industry primes and mid-tier firms (Safran, Bertin Technologies, Exail, Keopsys by Lumibird), SMEs (Cedrat Technologies, Reuniwatt, OGS Technologies), and a research center (ONERA).
SOLiS harnesses technologies developed through the government-backed Optical Communications (Co-Op) project led by CNES and draws on the outcomes of demonstrations delivered for the VERTIGO project funded by the European Commission.
About CNES
CNES (Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales) is the public establishment responsible for proposing French space policy to the Government and implementing it in Europe. It designs and puts satellites in orbit and invents the space systems of tomorrow; it promotes the emergence of new services that are useful in everyday life. CNES, created in 1961, initiates major space projects, launchers and satellites and is the natural partner of industry for pushing innovation. CNES has nearly 2,400 employees, men and women who are passionate about space, which opens up infinite, innovative fields of application; it intervenes in five areas: the Ariane launcher, scientific research, observation, telecommunications and defence. CNES is a major player in technological innovation, economic development and industrial policy in France. It also establishes scientific partnerships and is involved in numerous international projects. France, represented by CNES, is one of the main contributors to the European Space Agency (ESA).
CNES press contact:
Raphaël Sart – Head of External Relations & Media – +33(0)669548262 – raphael.sart@cnes.fr
About Hellas Sat
Established in 2001, Hellas Sat is a European satellite operator delivering resilient and secure satellite communications services on a global scale. Licensed by the Hellenic Republic and the Republic of Cyprus, the company holds the exclusive rights to operate the 39° East orbital position. Hellas Sat owns and operates a fleet of three geostationary satellites, supported by two advanced teleports located in Greece and Cyprus. Leveraging this fully integrated space and ground infrastructure, Hellas Sat provides high-reliability connectivity, broadcasting, and mission-critical services to enterprise, government, and defense customers worldwide.
Hellas Sat press contacts
Vivi Papatsimouli Tel: +30 698 2929 679 / v.papatsimouli@hellas-sat.net
About Safran Electronics & Defense
Safran Electronics & Defense offers its customers on-board intelligence solutions allowing them to understand the environment, to reduce mental load and to guarantee a trajectory, even in critical situations, in all environments: on land, at sea, in the sky or space. The company harnesses the expertise of its 19,000 employees for the civil and military markets.
Safran press contact :
Lucie Bâton / lucie.baton@safrangroup.com / +33 6 30 27 71 41
About Thales Alenia Space
Drawing on over 40 years of experience and a unique combination of skills, expertise and cultures, Thales Alenia Space delivers cost-effective solutions for telecommunications, navigation, Earth observation, environmental monitoring, exploration, science and orbital infrastructures. Governments and private industry alike count on Thales Alenia Space to design satellite-based systems that provide anytime, anywhere connections and positioning, monitor our planet, enhance management of its resources and explore our Solar System and beyond. Thales Alenia Space sees space as a new horizon, helping build a better, more sustainable life on Earth. A joint venture between Thales (67%) and Leonardo (33%), Thales Alenia Space also teams up with Telespazio to form the Space Alliance, which offers a complete range of solutions including services. Thales Alenia Space posted consolidated revenues of €2.23 billion in 2024 and has more than 8,100 employees in 7 countries with 14 sites in Europe. www.thalesaleniaspace.com
1 Service Optique de Liaisons Spatiales Sécurisées, or secure optical space link service