Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jun 13, 2026

OptiSat

OptiSat is a Greek technology demonstration satellite designed to test laser-based communication technologies and automatic on-orbit data processing. The 6U CubeSat-type small satellite was developed by the Greek company Planetek Hellas and includes a SCOT20 laser terminal built by the German company TESAT. The satellite is also testing machine learning-based image processing technology intended for aiding the optical communication link by automatically selecting cloud-free ground stations. The development of the satellite was supported by the EU's and ESA's Greek CubeSat In-Orbit Validation programme. It was launched on the Transporter-16 flight of the Falcon 9 rocket on 30 March 2026.

Last revised
Jun 13, 2026
Read time
≈ 1 min
Length
300 w
Citations
13
Source
Wikipedia ↗
OptiSat
OperatorGreece Planetek Hellas, Hellenic Space Center, European Space Agency
COSPAR ID2026-067BJ
SATCAT no.68472Edit this on Wikidata
Mission duration2 months, 14 days (in progress)
Spacecraft properties
Spacecraft type6U CubeSat
Start of mission
Launch date30 March 2026, 11:02 UTC
RocketFalcon 9 Transporter 16

OptiSat is a Greek technology demonstration satellite designed to test laser-based communication technologies and automatic on-orbit data processing.1234 The 6U CubeSat-type small satellite was developed by the Greek company Planetek Hellas5 and includes a SCOT20 laser terminal built by the German company TESAT.67 The satellite is also testing machine learning-based image processing technology intended for aiding the optical communication link by automatically selecting cloud-free ground stations.8 The development of the satellite was supported by the EU's and ESA's Greek CubeSat In-Orbit Validation programme. It was launched on the Transporter-16 flight of the Falcon 9 rocket on 30 March 2026.19101112

See also

See also

References

References

  1. Tomaswick, Andy (2026-04-10). "ESA Launches 7 New Missions to Supercharge Space Data Transfer". Universe Today. Retrieved 2026-04-11.
  2. admin (2023-06-21). "ESA backs Greek firms' and universities' CubeSats". 5G Ventures S.A | Phaistos Investment Fund. Retrieved 2026-04-11.
  3. Delevegos, Dimitris (2023-06-26). "Sky's the limit for Greek satellites | eKathimerini.com". www.ekathimerini.com. Retrieved 2026-04-11.
  4. "OptiSat in the laboratory". www.esa.int. Retrieved 2026-04-11.
  5. Kulu, Erik. "OptiSat". Nanosats Database. Retrieved 2026-04-11.
  6. "Greece's Advanced Laser Satellite Communications test campaign to launch with ESA support – ESA CSC: Connectivity & Secure Communications". Retrieved 2026-04-11.
  7. "TESAT LAUNCHES SCOT20 ONBOARD PLANETEK HELLAS OPTISAT". www.tesat.de. Retrieved 2026-04-11.
  8. Delevegos, Dimitris (2023-06-26). "Sky's the limit for Greek satellites | eKathimerini.com". www.ekathimerini.com. Retrieved 2026-04-11.
  9. "Planetek Hellas launches OPTISAT CubeSat as part of Greek Microsatellite Programme | Planetek Hellas". www.planetek.gr. Retrieved 2026-04-11.
  10. "SatNOGS DB - OPTISAT". db.satnogs.org. Retrieved 2026-04-11.
  11. "Five new Greek mini-satellites launched into orbit | eKathimerini.com". www.ekathimerini.com. 2026-03-31. Retrieved 2026-04-11.
  12. www.matak.sk, Juraj Maták-. "Družice". Kozmonautika. Retrieved 2026-04-11.