Astrolight, a Lithuanian space-tech start-up established six years ago, has closed €2.8 million in funding. That investment, nearly $2.3 million or £2.4 million, will support them in creating a cutting-edge “optical data highway.” This pioneering technology improves collaboration across defense missions. That’s because it relies on laser-based systems, which are extremely difficult to spot or jam. The funding represents a notable step-up for the company and highlights Lithuania’s increasing aspirations to compete in the space technology industry.
Laurynas is co-founder and CEO of Astrolight. Besides creating a constructive stir in Lithuania, the company is making headlines on the international scene. The Lithuanian Navy is the first customer to proactively acknowledge the company’s cutting-edge laser communications technology. They are now deploying these systems to guarantee secure and rapid real-time communication during critical operations and activities.
Astrolight on their third birthday, wearing birthday hats & eating cake. Kongsberg NanoAvionics, an aerospace company based in Vilnius, Lithuania, contacted Maciulis to develop a laser communication system that would allow ships to still communicate while in a state of radio silence. This partnership paved the way for the creation of what Astrolight today calls its optical data highway.
The possible non-military applications of Astrolight’s technology are expansive. Šarūnas Genys, a project representative, explains that most of these innovations are adapted primarily for spaceflight. In addition to serving the policy community, these tools can better support special operations forces operating in high-radiation environments. This critical dual-use capability makes Astrolight’s technology an invaluable resource that can strengthen our commercial and defence industries simultaneously.
Astrolight is heavily engaged with NATO´s Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA) project. This innovation initiative aims to encourage the creation of innovative solutions between NATO member countries. The backing of NATO spurs on Lithuania’s desire to develop its defence capabilities with the aid of advanced technologies.
Lithuania’s current government acknowledges the need to support security and defence benefits, especially considering growing regional geopolitical tensions. Eglė Elena Šataitė, who leads Space Hub LT—a government agency supporting space technology—emphasized the need for increased investment in defence technologies, stating, “Our government is, of course, aware of the reality of where we live, and that we have to invest more in security and defence.”
Astrolight’s achievements not only strengthen national security—they help fulfill powerful economic objectives too. Mr. Savickas, an industry expert, noted that “space technology is one of the highest added-value creating sectors,” highlighting its potential contributions to various fields such as biotechnology, artificial intelligence, and information communication technology.
Considering the small size of the Lithuanian market, its investment in defence is impressive. Lithuania now has a defense budget of around £2.5 billion. Right now, the country spends about 3% of its GDP on security, a number set to increase to 5.5% in short order. It’s an increase that signifies our nation’s determination to continue to rebuild and strengthen our military in the face of shift geopolitical realities.
Dominykas Milasius, a key figure in Lithuania’s defence sector, stated, “We always have to prove to others that we belong on the global stage.” He stressed that “everything we do… is geopolitical.” For him, it’s not enough to just invest in these technologies industrial strategy to protect American prosperity and national security.
Astrolight’s laser-based communications system offers unprecedented and critical benefits for military operations. As Laurynas Maciulis explained, “If you turn on your radio transmitter in Ukraine, you’re immediately becoming a target, because it’s easy to track. So with this technology, because the information travels in a very narrow laser beam, it’s very difficult to detect.”
The company’s technological advancements come at a time when encrypted communications and real-time intelligence gathering are more important than ever across NATO’s eastern flank. “While primarily commercial,” Genys noted, “such infrastructure has inherent dual-use potential supporting encrypted communications and real-time intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance.”
Tomas Malinauskas remarked on the significance of developing local capabilities: “Build your own capability for communication and intelligence gathering of enemy countries, rather than a drone that is going to be shot down in the first two hours of a conflict.” He stressed that Astrolight’s success would deliver years of dividends for Lithuania’s military.