Madrid, February 7, 2025 – The European project OPTIMAS, with the collaboration of Tecnobit-Oesia Group and led by monodon by Navantia, has started its journey with the aim of developing an advanced free space optical communication system for multidomain defense applications.
It is an ambitious project that seeks to provide high-speed data transfer communications with an exceptional level of security by integrating state-of-the-art encryption technologies, such as quantum key distribution (QKD).
OPTIMAS will mark a milestone in the development of airborne laser communication systems, designed to operate in satellite constellations and be applicable to space, air (drones), naval and ground units, providing secure, high-speed communications.
The final demonstrator of the project will focus on achieving high-speed, secure, bidirectional optical communications with advanced pointing, acquisition and tracking capabilities for satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO). Its applicability in medium earth orbits (MEO) and geostationary orbits (GEO) will also be explored, extending the system’s reach and capabilities.
A European consortium with Spanish leadership
OPTIMAS has a powerful European consortium composed of 12 entities from 7 countries, highlighting a strong Spanish presence with 6 organizations involved. Among these, Tecnobit, the industrial engineering division of Grupo Oesía, is in charge of carrying out studies of photonic systems and QKD applied to satellite communications. Backed by the commitment of Grupo Oesía for the hyperspecialization and investment in R+D+I in disruptive technologies, Tecnobit will demonstrate that photonics is able to provide a remarkable improvement in terms of bandwidth, SWaP and reduction of the complexity of the current satellite communications.
Tecnobit’s expertise in electronics and photonics will enable the consortium to address the future of QKD networks in the space domain, contributing its know-how for the further technological development of space photon sources.
monodon by Navantia assumes the role of project coordinator, reaffirming Spain’s leadership in advanced defense and communications technologies.
The project is being developed within the framework of the 2023 work program of the European Defense Fund (EDF), consolidating international cooperation in technological innovation for defense.
Participating entities
The OPTIMAS consortium is formed by:
- monodon by Navantia (Spain) – Project Coordinator
- CAILABS (France)
- Center for Pulsed Lasers – CLPU (Spain)
- University of Valencia (Spain)
- Tecnobit-Grupo Oesía (Spain)
- GMV (Portugal)
- Institute of Astrophysics of the Canary Islands (Spain)
- MBRYONICS LIMITED (Ireland)
- ODYSSEUS Space SA (Luxembourg)
- REFLEX AEROSPACE GMBH (Germany)
- SCHIEBEL ELEKTRONISCHE GERAETE GMBH (Austria)
- SENER (Spain)
- University of Vigo (Spain)
With this initiative, OPTIMAS is positioned as a key project in the advancement of cybersecure laser communications, consolidating the European collaboration and the technological leadership of Tecnobit-Oesia Group in the field of multidomain defense.