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Key people at Mynaric.
Mynaric develops and manufactures advanced laser communication products for terrestrial, airborne, and space applications. These systems provide secure, high-bandwidth data transmission, enabling robust connectivity solutions crucial for diverse platforms requiring reliable links across vast distances. Their technology focuses on scalable solutions for the industrialization of laser communication.
The company was founded by Dr. Markus Knapek, Joachim Horwath, and Dirk Giggenbach. This team initiated Mynaric with the insight to address the growing demand for high-speed, secure data transfer through innovative optical communication technology. Their backgrounds contributed to establishing the foundation for bringing laser communication into practical, widespread application.
Mynaric’s products serve customers requiring resilient communication infrastructures in air and space, including government, defense, and telecommunications sectors. The company's vision is to lead the industrial age of laser communication, establishing a global network that connects the world by providing the backbone for ubiquitous and high-performance data exchange. They aim to advance connectivity beyond traditional methods.
Key people at Mynaric.
# Mynaric: Laser Communication Pioneer for Aerospace Networks
Mynaric is a German aerospace technology company specializing in industrialized laser communication terminals that enable high-speed, long-distance wireless data transmission between moving objects in air and space.[1][4] The company manufactures optical communications equipment designed to provide backbone connectivity linking aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles, satellites, and ground stations.[3] Mynaric addresses a critical infrastructure gap in modern aerospace: as satellite mega-constellations expand globally, traditional radio frequency communication becomes a bottleneck. Laser communication offers ultra-high data rates, lower latency, enhanced security, and reduced power consumption—capabilities essential for next-generation space networks and real-time mission control.[2]
The company operates at the intersection of deep-tech manufacturing and the booming space economy. Its mission centers on commercializing decades of aerospace laser communication research into scalable, production-ready systems.[1] Mynaric targets both commercial and government markets, positioning itself as a subsystem supplier rather than a full satellite integrator, which allows it to focus on standardized, mass-produced optical terminals rather than custom solutions.[5]
Mynaric was founded in 2009 by former employees of Germany's Aerospace Center (DLR) with the explicit goal of commercializing institutional knowledge accumulated over decades in wireless laser communication for aerospace applications.[3][6] This heritage provided the company with deep technical credibility and access to foundational intellectual property licensed from DLR.[7]
The company's evolution reflects a deliberate transition from research to industrialization. Early years focused on prototype development and proof-of-concept demonstrations for air-to-ground and air-to-air laser communication.[5] A pivotal moment came in October 2019 when Mynaric delivered multiple laser communication flight terminals to an undisclosed customer, validating market demand.[7] In March 2019, the company strengthened its commercial positioning by recruiting Bulent Altan, former VP of SpaceX's Starlink program, to its management board, alongside securing $12.5 million in funding.[7] By 2023, Mynaric had transitioned into serial manufacturing, positioning itself as a prominent provider ahead of market trends.[1]
However, the company faced significant financial challenges. In February 2025, Mynaric filed for bankruptcy but initiated a restructuring process (StaRUG) to stabilize operations.[2][4] Despite this setback, the company has demonstrated manufacturing resilience: after supplier-related delays in January 2025, it rebounded strongly in the first half of 2025, achieving triple-digit manufacturing yields and producing over 150 optical heads of its CONDOR Mk3 terminal.[4]
Mynaric operates at the convergence of three transformative trends: the space economy's industrialization, the rise of satellite mega-constellations, and the shift from radio frequency to optical communication infrastructure.
The global space-based laser communication market is experiencing explosive growth, with communication applications expected to dominate through 2035.[2] This expansion is driven by constellation operators (Starlink, Amazon Kuiper, and others) requiring inter-satellite links to create seamless global coverage. Laser communication solves a fundamental physics problem: radio frequency systems cannot achieve the data rates and latency required for modern space networks at scale.[5]
Mynaric's timing is strategic. The company emerged from research into an increasingly mature market where customers are transitioning from prototype evaluation to production deployment. The U.S. remains the dominant market for laser communication technology, with strong government and commercial investment in space infrastructure.[2] Germany's position as a European aerospace hub and Mynaric's DLR heritage position it as a trusted supplier for both Western commercial and defense applications.
The company influences the broader ecosystem by demonstrating that laser communication can transition from laboratory research to industrial manufacturing—a critical validation that attracts capital, talent, and customer confidence to the sector.[5] Its success or failure will signal whether European deep-tech companies can compete with better-capitalized U.S. competitors in space infrastructure.
Mynaric stands at an inflection point. The company has proven technical capability and secured customer orders, but its recent bankruptcy filing underscores the capital intensity and execution risk inherent in deep-tech manufacturing. The critical question is whether its restructuring will enable profitability before larger competitors (particularly U.S.-based firms with greater resources) dominate the laser communication terminal market.
What's next: Mynaric must accelerate deployment of its next-generation CONDOR Mk3.1 terminal, scale manufacturing to meet anticipated constellation operator demand, and achieve positive unit economics.[4] The company's success depends on converting its technical credibility into sustained production volume and market share capture during the 2025–2030 window when satellite mega-constellations are actively deploying inter-satellite links.
Broader trends shaping the journey: The consolidation of space infrastructure suppliers, increasing government investment in space security, and the standardization of laser communication interfaces will determine whether Mynaric can maintain independence or becomes an acquisition target. European regulatory support for space technology and potential government contracts could provide the financial runway needed to reach profitability.
Mynaric's trajectory will ultimately reflect whether specialized European deep-tech manufacturers can thrive in capital-intensive space infrastructure markets—a question with implications far beyond laser communications.
