In Tenerife, Spain, DiGOS has recently completed and delivered the Izaña-2 laser-ranging station to the European Space Agency (ESA). Together with the existing Izaña-1 station, this forms a unique optical testbed that pushes the boundaries of satellite and space debris monitoring. For DiGOS, the project marks an important milestone in supporting ESA’s mission to enhance space safety while demonstrating how advanced German engineering contributes to European innovation.

Izaña-2 serves as the laser transmitter, emitting high-power laser pulses to track objects in orbit, while Izaña-1 receives the reflected photons. This interaction enables the collection of highly precise orbit data, which is essential for collision avoidance and sustainable space traffic management. DiGOS technology thus plays a central role in providing actionable information to satellite operators and advancing ESA’s Space Safety Programme.

With initiatives such as the OMLET project, ESA and its partners—including DiGOS—are exploring next-generation services like on-demand orbit data provision and laser-based collision avoidance. A future goal is to shift from maneuvering satellites to moving debris itself using laser momentum transfer. By contributing Izaña-2, DiGOS supports Europe’s leadership in space safety, opens doors for commercial services, and helps secure the sustainable use of outer space.