Greece Sets Milestone by Establishing First-Ever Deep-Space Laser Communication Link to Mars Mission

Greece has marked a major breakthrough in the modern space race by achieving a record-setting deep-space laser communication test, rooted in its legacy of ancient science. The National Observatory of Athens (NOA) successfully connected via laser with a spacecraft nearly 300 million kilometers away, setting a new record for the longest broadband laser link ever achieved in space, according to Kathimerini.

The test was conducted at Kryoneri Observatory in the Corinth region through collaboration between NOA, the European Space Agency (ESA), and NASA. A laser beam was sent to NASA’s Psyche spacecraft—currently on its way to Mars. Traveling at light speed, the signal took 16 minutes each way, and was received back by the Helmos Observatory’s advanced telescope.

NOA President Spyros Vasilakos described the accomplishment as a “groundbreaking experiment and a national distinction,” crediting four years of focused effort and strategic international collaboration. The test supports ESA and NASA’s broader mission to transition deep-space communication from traditional radio waves to faster, high-capacity optical systems.

This successful demonstration elevates Greece’s role in global space research and places the country at the forefront of Europe’s vision for advanced laser-based communication in space. As Vasilakos put it, “There are moments that move you deeply, because you witness a great leap forward.”

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