Lithuanian space communications company Astrolight has closed a €2.8 million ($3.0 million) seed funding round to develop its laser-based communication platform connecting satellites to Earth.
The funding will accelerate development of Astrolight’s end-to-end optical communication system that aims to address the growing data bottleneck between space-based assets and ground infrastructure. Current radio frequency systems can retrieve only about 20% of space-generated data due to spectrum limitations.
“Our long-term vision is to create the optical backbone network for space,” said Laurynas Mačiulis, CEO and co-founder of Astrolight. “The amount of satellites and constellations is growing exponentially, but there’s still no scalable, secure way to consistently bring that data back to Earth.”
Astrolight is developing a dual-use communication architecture handling both space-to-space and space-to-ground optical links. The company plans to offer optical communication as a service, connecting optical terminals with its own ground infrastructure.
The system is based on the company’s ATLAS-1 modular design, which will support both hybrid space-to-ground and space-to-space optical terminals. Laser communication offers up to 100 times faster data rates compared to radio frequency systems while providing enhanced security and scalable bandwidth.
“The infrastructure we’re building is not just a technical solution – it’s a way to fill the operational gap in how modern space systems communicate,” said Dalius Petrulionis, chief technology officer of Astrolight. “Laser links offer higher data rates, exceptional security, but most importantly, they can scale the bandwidth.”
Goldman Sachs Research projects more than 70,000 Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites will launch over the next five years, creating increased demand for space-to-ground connectivity. Laser communication is becoming a competitive alternative to radio frequency systems, providing more robust links and significantly higher data transmission rates.
“We heard from customers and partners that a complete solution is what’s missing,” Mačiulis said. “There’s no end-to-end experience – terminals, satellites, and ground infrastructure working as one.”
The company has established a Danish subsidiary to strengthen Nordic collaboration and deliver secure laser communication solutions for Arctic space assets. This regional expansion was supported by EIFO, the Export and Investment Fund of Denmark.
“This is a strategically important investment in a company whose technology plays a vital role in strengthening European space capabilities and resilience,” said Louise Flyger, investment manager at EIFO.
Astrolight’s platform will allow integration with existing satellite systems and support on-demand laser communication links, including inter-satellite relays and direct-to-Earth downlinks. The company positions itself as complementary infrastructure rather than competing with existing constellations.
Founded in 2019 by former Kongsberg Nanoavionics executives, Astrolight has been selected for NATO’s DIANA program and participated in Seraphim Space and CASSINI accelerators. The company has established commercial contracts including work with CAILABS, the Lithuanian Navy, and European Space Agency programs.
“Astrolight represents the type of strategic investment that Europe needs – leveraging our region’s technical excellence to build sovereign capabilities in critical infrastructure,” said Marcin P. Kowalik, general partner at Balnord, one of the investors in the company.
