PILOT PHOTONICS SECURES €1M EUROPEAN SPACE AGENCY CONTRACT

12 June 2026

Bank of Ireland Kernel Capital Growth Fund portfolio Company Pilot Photonics has been awarded a €1M contract by the European Space Agency to space-proof the company’s Optical Frequency Generator Unit (OFGU) for deployment within next-generation satellite constellations. This initiative aims to meet the demands of new satellite constellations, providing higher frequency bands, payload reconfigurability, and lower size, weight, power, and cost.

Current satellite systems, which use electronic frequencies, have come under increasing pressure in recent years, due to data-heavy applications like live streaming, remote work, and AR/VR. With the quantity of satellites orbiting earth also increasing, current orbital networks are struggling to keep up with this demand, leading to crowded radio waves and strained infrastructure. The European Space Agency has contracted Pilot Photonics to accelerate their Optical Frequency Generation Unit (OFGU) which uses optical comb lasers instead of radio frequency (RF) electronics with low noise and high-power efficiency from a single source, all in a highly integrated compact module. By replacing traditional electronics with lasers and light-based technology, this compact device will help satellites transmit more data with less crowding.

“This project will accelerate the OFGU’s readiness for space, culminating in space-environment validation after which early demonstrations in orbit can commence.”

Dr. Amol Delmade, OFGU Product Lead, Pilot Photonics

“Photonic technologies are becoming increasingly important for space. There is a need for technologies like the OFGU to offer higher Q, stable, local oscillator for existing RF and for future Photonic RF architectures.”

Dr. Nikos Karafolas, Technical Officer, European Space Agency

“This significant ESA contract is further evidence of Ireland’s growing capability in the space economy. Pilot Photonics is developing highly specialised technology that addresses a real and urgent need in next-generation satellite infrastructure — and doing so at the frontier of what’s possible in integrated photonics. The Irish Delegation to ESA is committed to supporting companies like Pilot Photonics as Ireland continues to build a strong and distinctive presence in the European space sector.”

Barry Jennings, National Delegate to ESA, Enterprise Ireland