In December 2025, Airbus and TNO successfully established a secure laser communication link between an Airbus aircraft and a satellite in geostationary orbit, 36,000 kilometres above Earth. This achievement proves that high speed, resilient air to space connectivity is no longer a vision but a reality. Using the UltraAir terminal, co developed by Airbus and TNO, the test showcased the ability to transmit massive amounts of data via laser technology with unprecedented speed and security. This milestone opens the door to a new era of global communications, faster, more efficient and far harder to intercept, transforming both military and commercial aviation.
* Source photo: TNO
The campaign delivered 31 successful links with closed loop tracking, each 6–14 minutes and generating hours of telemetry. Seven tests sent data at 2.6 Gbps for several minutes with zero bit errors. This first public demonstration marks a key step toward commercial laser communication for aviation and space.
Why laser communication matters
Current satellite communication relies on radio frequency (RF) bands, which lack the bandwith and security demanded by today’s data volumes. Laser based optical links can transfer terabytes in seconds rather than hours, and their tightly focused beams are inherently harder to jam or intercept, a critical advantage for military operations. With this technology, aircraft and UAVs can securely and rapidly exchange large datasets via multi orbit satellite constellations, strengthening mission flexibility and information security.
‘Establishing laser links between moving targets at this distance is technically very challenging. Continuous movements, platform vibrations and atmospheric disturbances require extreme precision’, said François Lombard, Head of Connected Intelligence at Airbus Defence and Space. ‘This milestone is a further development of our long successful laser communication history; it opens the door to a new era of laser satellite communications to meet defence and commercial needs in the next decades.’Europees leiderschap en volgende stappen
European leadership and next steps
This achievement provides clear proof that secure, high speed communication from air to space is feasible today, reinforcing European and Dutch competitiveness. It opens the door to global data links that are faster, more efficient and more secure, supporting mission critical military operations and enabling high speed in flight internet for passengers.