Since its founding in 2023, FSO instruments works closely together with TNO to bring decades of Dutch space innovation to the global market for laser‑satellite communication. Building on TNO’s more than 60 years of expertise in advanced space instrumentation, this collaboration focuses on commercializing next‑generation optical communication technology, enabling faster, safer and more secure data connections for the world of tomorrow.
TNO recently interviewed our managing director, Will Crowcombe, about the partnership. Watch the video below and read some highlights from the conversation.
Building a Leading Position for the Netherlands
TNO has long been a driving force behind Dutch and European leadership in space technology. Their solutions for laser‑satellite communication, using light waves instead of traditional radio frequencies, promise higher capacity, faster connections and inherently more secure data transfer across vast distances.
Kees Buijsrogge, Director Space at TNO:
“Competition is intense, but with our high‑tech companies and knowledge institutes, the Netherlands has everything it needs to become an essential player in this emerging technology. With our technological innovations, we aim to strengthen the position of the Netherlands and Europe in this rapidly developing global value chain. That is why we actively pursue partnerships with Dutch technology companies.”
FSO instruments: industrializing breakthrough technology
FSO instruments is turning proven TNO technology into scalable, commercial products. We develop, produce and supply high‑performance instruments for free‑space optics, with a focus on optical modules and subsystems for laser‑satellite communication. Using our industrial production processes, we are making the solutions broadly available and are strengthening the Dutch high‑tech supply chain.
Will Crowcombe, Managing Director at FSO instruments:
“TNO is an important partner for FSO instruments. Our collaboration, industrializing valuable applied research into commercial products, is a textbook example of valorization. Laser beams make it possible to transmit large volumes of data over long distances. This requires highly advanced optomechatronics to ensure that these connections are reliable, secure and fast.”
Together with TNO, we continue to collaborate on R&D for next‑generation optical communication technologies. Turning early‑stage innovations into market‑ready solutions.
Read TNO’s full article: https://www.tno.nl/nl/newsroom/insights/2024/07/dit-is-onze-tijd-laser-satelliet-fso/