HolOGS — Holomondas Optical Ground Station — is a two-phase ESA activity led by Libre Space Foundation with Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTh) and ICCS. It designs, builds, and operates an open-source optical and quantum-capable ground station on Mount Holomondas in northern Greece, targeting LEO laser downlinks, atmospheric studies, and optical ground infrastructure R&D aligned with ESA’s optical and QCI initiatives.
What LSF does
LSF is prime contractor across both phases: system requirements, architecture and ICD, project management, pypogs open-source OGS software development, dissemination, and operations linkage with SatNOGS. AUTh leads optical / AAM engineering and site operations; ICCS contributes on HolOGS2.
Where we’re going
Operationalise Holomondas as a European open-source OGS node contributing to ESA optical ground infrastructure (HydRON / ScyLight), EuroQCI / HellasQCI quantum links, and deep-space optical (DSOC-class) experimentation; produce a product development roadmap and commercial exploitation path for the OGS building blocks.
Where the project stands
HolOGS (esa11157) in final reporting phase. HolOGS2 (esa11916, ‘Holomondas Observatory Upgrade for Optical and Quantum Communication’) kicked off July 2024; TN1–TN8 submitted; PDR / TRR / SAR / FR milestones on a 24-month plan.
Milestones
- 2022-06 — HolOGS proposal submitted
- 2023 — HolOGS (esa11157) contract 4000140014 signed
- 2024-07 — HolOGS2 contract 4000145410 countersigned
- 2024-11 — TN1/TN2 submitted
- 2025-02 — TN3–TN5 baseline architecture, ICD draft
- 2025-05 — TN6–TN8 detailed design, PDR
- 2025-Q4 → 2026 — TRR, on-sky V&V, Final Review