LUCI, Oledcomm's new ultra-compact, inter-satellite terminal

LUCI, Oledcomm's new ultra-compact, inter-satellite terminal selected by the French National Space Agency (CNES)

Oledcomm, a French specialist in wireless optical communications, has been selected by the French National Space Agency (CNES) as part of the France 2030 programme. Oledcomm shall develop a demonstration of inter-satellite optical communications service for the programme’s space component.

Pursuant to its participation in France 2030, Oledcomm will develop an innovative terminal, LUCI (Ultra-Compact Inter-Satellite Liaison), and demonstrate a bidirectional inter-satellite communications service. Designed to be affordable and compact, LUCI combines low power consumption with very high bandwidth, ensuring a quality of service suited to next-generation satellite communications. 

A rapidly expanding market

The space optical communications market has seen an unprecedented boom, driven by global demand for high-speed, low-latency connectivity. By using laser beams, optical communications provide much higher speeds, enhanced security and reduced radio spectrum interference compared to radio frequency communications.

With an expected annual growth rate of 20-30%, this market is driven by the proliferation of satellite constellations (SpaceX, OneWeb, Amazon, IRIS), boosted by new applications such as Earth observation, space exploration and military communications.

With an expected annual growth rate of between 20% and 30%, this market is driven by the proliferation of constellations (SpaceX, OneWeb, Amazon, IRIS²) and the emergence of new applications: Earth observation, military communications and space exploration. 

Beyond performance, Optical Inter-Satellite Links (OISLs) address major sovereignty and security issues, enabling satellites to connect directly to each other without needing to go through ground stations. This reduces network vulnerability and ensures continuity of very high-speed service anywhere on the planet.

LUCI: a sovereign and competitive solution 

With its patented technologies already having been deployed in space, Oledcomm offers a competitive alternative in this market of strategic importance at a time when France and Europe are increasingly reflecting on their technological sovereignty.

Oledcomm’s offering for this sector, LUCI, is an ultra-compact inter-satellite optical terminal designed to provide satellite constellations with a solution capable of delivering very high-speed communications, all while ensuring security, reducing component mass and controlling costs.

For Benjamin Azoulay, CEO of Oledcomm, “With LUCI, we are developing a competitive inter-satellite optical solution suited to the constellations of the future, all while protecting European technical sovereignty. We are grateful to have the support of France 2030 and the CNES.

A clear development timeline till 2028

Co-financed under the France 2030 program, the LUCI project is structured into two stages:

• Phase 1 (till July 2026) : Preliminary detailed definition of the system and consolidation of technical systems, and elimination of major technical and industrial risks. 

• Phase 2 (mid-2026 to 2028) : Industrial development, including finalisation of the design, manufacture, assembly and testing of the terminal. This shall be followed by a comprehensive qualification campaign in space environment and end-to-end service demonstration. 

Such phasing ensures controlled progress from design to readiness for a first mission in orbit, with the aim of delivering a first flight model in 2028.

A project backed by strong institutional support

Supported by the CNES as part of France 2030, this project illustrates France's commitment to fostering innovative space solutions. Oledcomm’s project builds on France’s rich heritage in space-based optical communications in France (such as the Silex and LOLA projects in the 2000s), and builds on continuous institutional support to the sector for almost 10 years through projects such as DYSCO (CNES) and CO-OP (France Relance). 

About Oledcomm 

Oledcomm is a French company specialising in wireless optical communications.  With more than 36 patents and already involved in three successful space missions (OneWeb, Ariane 6 qualification flight, Inspire7), Oledcomm develops ultra-secure, discreet, high-speed connectivity and communication solutions for the defence, space and industrial markets.  

Press contacts - Licence K 

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• Avtansh Behal - a.behal@licencek.com - +33 7 69 53 08 25

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