SES, 레이저 통신 시대 연다… 프랑스 카일랍스와 손잡고 광학 지상국 시험 돌입 강화 기대

SES Partners with Cailabs to Test Next-Generation Laser Communication Technology. Credit: Cailabs

SES, a leading space solutions company, announced today it will test new optical ground stations built by France-based Cailabs to send data from space using laser beams instead of radio waves. By using optical communication, SES expects to be able to boost data transmission speeds, provide more secure links, and help alleviate congestion in increasingly crowded radio frequency bands.

The partnership marks a major step forward for optical communications, which use light beams to transmit data at speeds of up to 10 gigabits per second—about 100 times faster than typical home internet. Unlike traditional radio signals, laser beams are nearly impossible to intercept or jam, making them ideal for secure government and business communications.

The biggest challenge with optical communication to space has always been Earth’s atmosphere. Just as stars appear to twinkle due to atmospheric turbulence, laser beams wobble and break up as they pass through moving air. Cailabs solved this problem with technology called Multi-Plane Light Conversion (MPLC), which works like adaptive glasses that constantly adjust to keep the laser signal clear and strong.

“Our Optical Ground Station technology, already field-proven with a variety of satellites and terminals, offers top performance in mitigating atmospheric turbulence and maintaining resilient communications, while delivering features that are essential for secure communications in today’s most demanding environments,” said Jean-François Morizur, CEO of Cailabs.

The new ground stations, called TILBA-OGS L10, will enable SES to begin testing space-to-ground optical links ahead of integrating them into commercial services. Each station can handle two-way transmissions at 10 Gbps and can be operated remotely, making them practical for widespread deployment.

“Optical communication can provide much higher bandwidth, better data security, and less risk of spectrum congestion,” said Carmel Ortiz, SVP of MEO Programs at SES. “The Cailabs Optical Ground Stations can play a central role in our global network of gateways with access to high-throughput infrastructure.”

Since the 1960s, radio waves have dominated space communications, but the transition to optical systems is gaining momentum. The radio spectrum is becoming increasingly crowded as more satellites launch, leading to interference and limited bandwidth availability. Laser communication, which uses light rather than radio waves, opens up an entirely new spectrum and brings critical advantages such as low probability of intercept (LPI), low probability of detection (LPD), and low probability of exploitation (LPE).

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About SES

At SES, we believe that space has the power to make a difference. That’s why we design space solutions that help governments protect, businesses grow, and people stay connected—no matter where they are. With integrated multi-orbit satellites and our global terrestrial network, we deliver resilient, seamless connectivity and the highest quality video content to those shaping what’s next. Following our Intelsat acquisition, we now offer more than 100 years of combined global industry leadership—backed by a track record of bringing innovation “firsts” to market. As a trusted partner to customers and the global space ecosystem, SES is driving impact that goes far beyond coverage. The company is headquartered in Luxembourg and listed on Paris and Luxembourg stock exchanges (Ticker: SESG). Further information is available at: www.ses.com.

Forward-looking Statements

This press release contains, and our officers and representatives may from time to time make, certain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “likely,” “believe,” “will,” and similar expressions or their negative. Examples of forward-looking statements include, among others, statements we make regarding the partnership and the expected timing, impacts and benefits thereof.

Forward-looking statements are not assurances of future performance and are subject to inherent uncertainties and risks that are difficult to predict such as: disruption or failure of information systems, satellite control, and operations networks and other technology; risks associated with strategic investments; high competition in the telecommunications industry; and changes in technology or satellite communications market could make our satellite telecommunications system obsolete or subject to lower or reduced demand.

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View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250915922379/en/

세계적인 우주 솔루션 기업 SES가 프랑스 기반의 기업 카일랍스(Cailabs)가 구축한 새로운 광학 지상국(optical ground stations)을 시험한다고 오늘 발표했다. 이번 협력은 데이터를 전파(radio waves) 대신 레이저 빔을 이용해 우주에서 전송하는 것을 목표로 한다.

SES는 이번 광통신(optical communication) 기술을 통해 데이터 전송 속도를 높이고, 보안을 강화하며, 혼잡한 무선 주파수 대역의 부담을 덜 수 있을 것으로 기대한다.

초당 10기가비트, 가정 인터넷보다 100배 빨라

이번 파트너십은 광통신 분야의 중요한 진전으로 평가된다. 광통신은 빛을 이용해 초당 10기가비트(Gbps)의 속도로 데이터를 전송하며, 이는 일반적인 가정용 인터넷보다 약 100배 빠른 속도다. 또한, 레이저 빔은 기존 전파 신호와 달리 가로채거나 방해하기가 거의 불가능해 정부 및 기업의 보안 통신에 이상적이다.

카일랍스, '대기 난기류' 해결… 레이저 흔들림 막는 '적응형 안경' 기술

지금까지 우주 광통신의 가장 큰 과제는 지구의 대기였다. 별이 대기 난기류 때문에 반짝이는 것처럼, 레이저 빔도 움직이는 공기를 통과하며 흔들리고 끊어지는 현상이 발생했다. 카일랍스는 '다중 평면 광 변환(Multi-Plane Light Conversion, MPLC)' 기술로 이 문제를 해결했다. 이 기술은 마치 레이저 신호를 선명하고 강하게 유지하기 위해 끊임없이 조정되는 '적응형 안경'처럼 작동한다.

카일랍스의 장 프랑수아 모리주(Jean-François Morizur) CEO는 "우리의 광학 지상국 기술은 대기 난기류를 완화하고 견고한 통신을 유지하는 데 최고의 성능을 제공한다"며, "가장 까다로운 환경에서 보안 통신에 필수적인 기능을 제공한다"고 밝혔다.

상업 서비스 통합 목표… 원격 운영 가능해 실용성 높아

새로운 지상국 'TILBA-OGS L10'은 SES가 우주-지상 광 링크를 상업 서비스에 통합하기 전 테스트를 시작하는 데 중요한 역할을 할 것이다. 각 지상국은 10Gbps의 양방향 전송을 처리할 수 있으며, 원격으로 운영이 가능해 광범위한 배포에 용이하다.

SES의 MEO 프로그램 담당 수석 부사장 카멜 오르티스(Carmel Ortiz)는 "광통신은 훨씬 더 높은 대역폭, 우수한 데이터 보안, 스펙트럼 혼잡 위험 감소를 제공할 수 있다"며, "카일랍스의 광학 지상국은 우리의 글로벌 게이트웨이 네트워크에서 핵심적인 역할을 할 것"이라고 말했다.

1960년대 이후 우주 통신은 전파가 지배해 왔지만, 광학 시스템으로의 전환은 가속화되고 있다. 더 많은 위성이 발사되면서 전파 스펙트럼은 점점 혼잡해져 간섭과 대역폭 부족 문제가 심화되고 있다. 반면, 빛을 활용하는 레이저 통신은 완전히 새로운 스펙트럼을 열어주며, 가로채기(LPI), 탐지(LPD), 악용(LPE)될 가능성이 낮은 중요한 이점을 제공한다.