The collaboration focuses on co-developing SES’s upcoming medium Earth orbit (MEO) network, which promises to be more agile, flexible, and responsive to market needs. Building on SES’s extensive experience operating multi-orbit networks — including its flagship O3b mPOWER MEO constellation — both companies are leveraging their combined expertise to develop a software-defined, modular infrastructure capable of supporting a broad spectrum of applications, from commercial enterprise to sovereign government services.
Earlier this year, SES and K2 Space initiated development activities to validate new network technologies tailored for commercial and government applications. A key milestone will be the on-orbit test mission scheduled for the first quarter of 2026, marking the first step toward deploying SES’s future MEO network. This iterative, agile approach signals a significant shift in the satellite industry, moving away from traditional linear development models toward continuous innovation and rapid responsiveness.
“Our future MEO network will evolve through agile innovation cycles,” said Adel Al-Saleh, CEO of SES. “By partnering with K2 Space and other trusted innovators, we’re combining operational depth with startup agility to create a network that is adaptable, secure, and capable of supporting multi-mission capabilities such as hosted payloads, space situational awareness, and direct-to-device data relay.”
The joint efforts will span Europe and the United States, aiming to accelerate development timelines and deliver high-value, versatile network services more efficiently.
Concurrently, SES announced a significant leap forward in optical ground station technology, partnering with France-based Cailabs to test laser-based space-to-ground data transmission. Utilizing advanced Multi-Plane Light Conversion (MPLC) technology — akin to adaptive glasses that compensate for atmospheric turbulence — these optical ground stations (TILBA-OGS L10) are designed to handle two-way transmissions at speeds up to 10 Gbps.
Laser communication offers substantial advantages over traditional radio frequency links, including dramatically increased data speeds — up to 100 times faster than typical home internet — as well as enhanced security features. Since laser beams are nearly impossible to intercept or jam, they are ideal for secure communications in government and enterprise sectors. Moreover, optical links help alleviate spectrum congestion, addressing the growing interference issues caused by the proliferation of satellites.
“The transition to optical communication signifies a major evolution in space connectivity,” said Jean-François Morizur, CEO of Cailabs. “Our proven MPLC technology ensures resilient, secure, high-speed links even in challenging atmospheric conditions, enabling SES to expand its high-throughput, secure ground segment infrastructure.”
Carmel Ortiz, SES’s SVP of MEO Programs, emphasized the strategic importance: “Optical communication provides higher bandwidth, better security, and reduces spectrum congestion. The new ground stations will be central to SES’s global network, supporting an array of demanding applications.”
