ETSI Webinar Invitation: Optical Satellite Communication Networks – Examining industrial needs for standardisation

📅 Date: 31 March 2026

🕒 Time: 15:30 CEST (duration: 90 min)

The webinar is co-organised by ETSI TC SES (Technical Committee on Satellite Earth Stations & Systems) and ESA (European Space Agency).

The European Space Agency coordinates industry representatives to create ESA Specifications for Terabit/sec Optical Links (ESTOL). The development of ESTOL facilitates fast implementation and demonstration of Free Space Optical (FSO) satellite communication links. These specifications could subsequently be used to produce corresponding standards within a standardisation organisation to ensure interoperability among equipment vendors worldwide. In addition, ETSI TC SES SCN has created a study item to investigate the standardisation gaps in FSO communication.

The webinar will:

• present state-of-the-art technology developments in satellite optical communications, including demonstrations of inter-satellite and cross-atmospheric links.
• outline the ESTOL specification, which aims at unifying and providing guidelines for device and equipment suppliers to ensure interoperability across all laser terminals.
• discuss further needs for the development of open specifications and standards for Free Space Optical (FSO) satellite communication.

The webinar will be of interest to everyone involved in the development of satellite optical communication, including laser terminals technology developers, satellite integrators and network operators.

Join the webinar to learn about the latest technological developments in the FSO field, the current status of specification work, and provide feedback on gaps and areas to be further developed in the industry, in ESA and in standards bodies such as ETSI.

Speakers:

• Nicolas Chuberre, Chair ETSI TC SES SCN, Thales
• Kasia Balakier, ESA
• Relja Djapic, Rapporteur FSO work item in ETSI TC SES SCN, TNO
• Herwig Zech, TESAT
• Joachim Horwath, Mynaric
• Ludovic Blarre, Airbus
• Jörg Rockstroh, Work Microwave
• Ramon Mata Calvo, ESA

Register now to join the live webinar!

If you are unable to join live, the recording will be available on demand via the ETSI Channel on BrightTALK.