HydRON

HydRON
Operator European Space Agency
StatusUnder development
Constellation size
Current usable satellites0
Websitehttps://connectivity.esa.int/archives/partnership-projects/hydron

HydRON, or High‑thRoughput Optical Network, is a future multi-orbit constellation of communication satellites using laser links, which is being developed by the European Space Agency (ESA). The project's goal is to provide real‑time large volume data transfer services between satellites and ground systems at throughput higher than 100 Gbps. The project is structured in three "elements". The first aims to establish a low Earth orbit constellation, the second aims to extend it to other orbits, and the third aims to create a user-facing segment in coordination with the industry. HydRON is part of ESA's Advanced Research in Telecommunications Systems (ARTES) programme.

History

On 1 February 2022, ESA awarded a contract to the German company Mynaric to work on the optical communication system for HydRON. On 16 October 2024, ESA awarded a €36 million contract to the Canadian company Kepler Communications to lead Element #1 development. On 14 February 2025, ESA awarded a contract (amount undisclosed) to the European company Thales Alenia Space to lead Element #2. In early 2026, ESA awarded further contracts to Mynaric and Kepler Communications (€18.6 million) to work on Element #3.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 Rainbow, Jason (2025-03-13). "ESA lays foundations for the future of data transmission". SpaceNews. Retrieved 2026-04-15.
  2. 1 2 3 "ESA begins next phase of 'fibre in the sky' optical communications project with Canada". www.esa.int. Retrieved 2026-04-15.
  3. ↑ Perdigues Armengol, J.; Vasko, C. A.; Acar, G.; Mata Calvo, R.; Arapoglou, P. D.; Altamura, A.; Canuet, L.; Alaluf, D.; Thurnes, D.; Balakier, K.; Hauschildt, H. (2025). Bernard, Frédéric; Karafolas, Nikos; Kubik, Philippe; Minoglou, Kyriaki (eds.). "HydRON: ESA's end-to-end optical satellite communication system is moving towards implementation". Proceedings Volume 13699, International Conference on Space Optics — ICSO 2024. SPIE: 272. doi:10.1117/12.3075407. ISBN 978-1-5106-9347-0.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: periodical has ISBN (link)
  4. ↑ Vasko, Christopher; Perdigués Armengol, Josep Maria; Acar, Guray; Arapoglou, Pantelis-Daniel; El-Dali, Wael; Mezzasoma, Silvia; Politano, Monica; Sodnik, Zoran; Elia, Carlo; Hauschildt, Harald (2022-03-04). Hemmati, Hamid; Robinson, Bryan S. (eds.). "HydRON: Internet backbone beyond the clouds". Proceedings Volume 11993, Free-Space Laser Communications XXXIV. SPIE: 25. doi:10.1117/12.2606232. ISBN 978-1-5106-4857-9.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: periodical has ISBN (link)
  5. ↑ Hauschildt, Harald; Elia, Carlo; Moeller, Ludwig; Perdigués Armengol, Josep Maria (2019-03-04). Hemmati, Hamid; Boroson, Don M. (eds.). "HydRON: High throughput optical network". Proceedings of the SPIE. SPIE: 18. doi:10.1117/12.2511391. ISBN 978-1-5106-2462-7.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: periodical has ISBN (link)
  6. ↑ Patton, Tom. "Multi-Orbit Optical Communication Network Demo Planned". www.exterrajsc.com. Retrieved 2026-04-15.
  7. 1 2 "HydRON: Transforming How Data-Collecting Satellites Communicate". www.techbriefs.com. 2025-06-01. Retrieved 2026-04-15.
  8. 1 2 SpaceRef (2022-02-01). "Mynaric selected by ESA to investigate optical technologies for next generation high-throughput optical inter-satellite links". SpaceNews. Retrieved 2026-04-15.
  9. ↑ Jason Rainbow, Emma Gatti (2026-04-15). "Kepler to lead interoperability tests for ESA's HydRON optical relay network". SpaceNews. Retrieved 2026-04-15.
  10. ↑ Rainbow, Jason (2024-10-16). "ESA picks Kepler-led group to develop LEO optical data relay network". SpaceNews. Retrieved 2026-04-15.
  11. 1 2 Boucher, Marc (2026-04-15). "Kepler awarded $30.1 million prime contract for European Space Agency HydRON optical network". SpaceQ Media Inc. Retrieved 2026-04-15.
  12. 1 2 Careless, James (2024-10-16). "ESA Selects Kepler for HydRON Space-Based Terabit Broadband Network". SpaceQ Media Inc. Retrieved 2026-04-15.
  13. ↑ "HydRON: Satellites using lasers for faster data sharing". www.esa.int. Retrieved 2026-04-15.
  14. ↑ "Mynaric selected by ESA". Astrodrom. Retrieved 2026-04-15.
  15. ↑ "Thales Alenia Space and ESA sign contract for HydRON to demonstrate first multi-orbit optical communication network | Thales Alenia Space". www.thalesaleniaspace.com. 2025-02-14. Retrieved 2026-04-15.
  16. ↑ Nova, Redazione Agenzia (2025-02-14). "Aerospace: Thales Alenia Space signs contract with Esa for HydRon demonstrator system". Agenzia Nova. Retrieved 2026-04-15.
  17. ↑ Whitney, Jamie (2026-03-12). "Mynaric to test laser communications terminals in ESA HydRON optical network demonstrations". Military Aerospace. Retrieved 2026-04-15.
  18. ↑ "Mynaric Selected for ESA HydRON User Segment Demonstration Activities under Element 3". Mynaric. Retrieved 2026-04-15.
  19. ↑ Ackman, Ben (2026-04-17). "ESA Taps Kepler to Lead Next Stage of HydRON Optical Program". Via Satellite. Retrieved 2026-10-01.