Objectives

ENTECO addressed the vital need to close the technology gap between US mega-constellations and offerings from the European Space Industry. ENTECO-supported Thales Alenia Space (TAS) in advancing product maturity to meet commercial satellite constellation requirements. The goal was to minimise reliance on US-built payload units and reduce US-sourced critical components by advancing mixed US/EU solutions. This initiative combined a global system approach to define key constellation parameters, state-of-the-art hardware technology investigation and derisking, and collaborative co-design among system, payload, hardware, and software teams. This integration prevented oversizing in mass, consumption, and cost, ensuring hardware dimensions aligned with software and system-level demands.

Challenges

• Address some key design trade-offs at system and sub-system levels (OBP, OBTSW, AA) in support to architectures and preliminary product designs definition;
• Define strategies and to plan further development phases;
• Derisk, by verification and measurements, some architecture concepts with Proof of Concepts and product breadboards;
• Derisk some new technologies and new components use by testing and assessments;
• Issue preliminary specifications to frame further development activities and procurements.

System Architecture

The considered system complies with main Very High Throughput Satellites (VHTS) concepts, comprising multi-gateway capabilities and including the support of gateway diversity.

It’s also designed as a shared infrastructure, which not only means compatibility with multiple types of services and types of user equipment, but also implies that:

• The system design supports multiple types of satellites in LEO or MEO orbits,
• Multiple satellite providers or satellite network operators (SNO) can provide, and/or manage sub-parts of the infrastructure,
• The footprint of the system spans over multiple world regions, including a continuous world-wide coverage,
• Multiple service operators and/or multiple networks operators – possibly with multiple Core Networks interconnected – can provide their services over the space infrastructure.

5G Network Slicing implementation help to address those needs.

Within the Satellite RAN, sharing capabilities where 5G components and/or 5G functions (such as gNB) are mutualised.

Finally, the adoption of O-RAN architecture in NTN RAN components allows to keep orchestration and management as open as possible to avoid risks of vendor lock-in for system evolution.

Plan

The ENTECO Project was including two ARTES C&G Phases:

• Definition phase for Telecom System level activities
• Product phase for payload units building blocks first derisking activities (OBP, RFFE, DBFN and OBTSW)

The Project’s duration was about 20 months from April 2024 to December 2025 with five milestones, each one leading to a formal Review with ESA and validating some specific objectives:

• Kick-Off Meeting
• Prior Work Review: the contract was signed in July 2024 with a four-month phase of prior work on active antenna, radio frequency (RF) front-ends, technological building blocks and EPC;
• Key Point Review: presentation of initial system configuration and payload building blocks preliminary architectures and trade-offs;
• Intermediate Review: consolidation of the system solution baseline with its feasibility assessment, presentation of payload building blocks derisking status;
• Final Review: summary of the activity’s outcomes with conclusions and recommendations.

Current Status

This activity has been completed.

Companies

Thales Alenia Space - France

https://www.thalesgroup.com/fr/espace

France

Objectives

The QUEST project aimed to develop one of the world’s first real-time, LEO-based SATCOM-enabled automated drone delivery capability designed for offshore operations. This innovative solution integrates cutting-edge satellite and drone technologies, presenting a platform that holds the potential for commercial deployment and a transformative impact on offshore industries.

The key objectives of the 18-month project were as follows:

– Identify, Define, and Understand User and Operational Requirements:  Identification, definition, and comprehension of user and operational requirements for the LEO SATCOM-enabled offshore drone delivery capability and the associated offshore drone delivery service.
– Develop an Engineering Prototype: Create an engineering prototype that will undergo proving and testing activities in representative onshore environments. Additionally, conduct experimental offshore test flights, ensuring readiness for subsequent product verification and operational validation stages.
– Develop a Forward-Looking Roadmap: Formulate a forward-looking roadmap outlining the case for adoption across offshore industries. This includes assessments of operational feasibility, financial benefits, and impacts. Additionally, we will also explore the broader potential facilitated by the deployment of SATCOM technologies and heavy-lift drone technologies in the offshore sector.

Challenges

One of the most pressing challenges facing offshore energy delivery is the lack of reliable connectivity. Offshore sites often suffer from limited or non-existent access to high-speed communication networks because of the complexity of deploying traditional infrastructure. The LEO SATCOM terminal aims to address:

– Lack of real-time situational awareness: Without strong connectivity, it’s difficult to relay live video, telemetry, and environmental data needed for safe drone flights.
– Need for reliable drone communication: UAVs require constant, low-latency communication for safe operation, which current networks in offshore environments can’t guarantee.
– Offshore location: With deliveries having to occur up to 200km offshore, connectivity is key to enabling safe, long-range deliveries
– Limited access to services: Poor connectivity affects deliveries, maintenance and blue light (emergency pause in production) reaction time.

System Architecture

The Centralised Operations Centre in the figure above illustrates the connectivity architecture employed in our Remote Operations Centre (ROCC), from which our operations are conducted. Starlink is designated as a redundant connectivity source, providing a backup option to ensure continuity and reliability in communication should the primary connection fail. 

For QUEST, we will be evaluating several potential primary LEO communication solutions, including Iridium Certus and Starlink Mini. We will be conducting a comparative analysis of Iridium Certus, Starlink Mini, OneWeb (the UK sovereign capability), and other technologies to determine the best option that fulfils the project requirements. The goal is to select the most suitable communication technology to ensure the highest level of operational effectiveness and safety for our UAS operations.

Plan

The QUEST project was divided into two phases: Definition phase and Technology Phase. Definition addressed the requirement capture report capturing the specific user needs identified for the project. During the Technology phase, our objective was to develop an engineering qualification prototype. This prototype serves the dual purpose of validating and mitigating risks associated with subsequent phases, namely the Product and Demonstration phases. Additionally, we gained insights into the behaviour of the system and its components. This supported the foundation for the LEO-based SATCOM-enabled drone logistics service intended for use in offshore environments.

Current Status

Documentation in the Definition phase has almost reached completion. Skyport is set to complete the finalised report in the next few days. Moreover, to support operations in the technology phase, Skyports have begun to scope the regulatory requirements for the project as well as engage with contacts at Predannack airfield Cornwall to arrange booking for drone demonstrations.

Companies

Skyports Drone Services

https://skyportsdroneservices.com/

United Kingdom

Satellite Applications Catapult

https://sa.catapult.org.uk/

United Kingdom

Objectives

The Connectivity for Remote Orkney Future Transport (CROFT) project aims to test and demonstrate how 5G technologies can enable rural drone operations to improve connectivity in Orkney, one of the most isolated and remote parts of the UK.

The 22-month project will focus on the development of Sky5, a 5G-enabled drone service. This solution will allow for the low-latency, high-density communication and coverage that is required by uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs). The project will also define the functional and performance requirements needed to develop scalable, 5G drone deliveries in harsh, rural environments. CROFT will highlight how innovation-led services can bring tangible, positive benefits to remote, isolated communities like those found in Orkney.

The project brings together Skyports Drone Services Skyports, Satellite Applications Catapult, Stratospheric Platforms (UK) Limited, and Cranfield University.

Challenges

One of the most pressing challenges facing remote, rural, and island communities is the lack of reliable connectivity. These areas often suffer from limited or non-existent access to high-speed mobile networks due to the high cost and complexity of deploying traditional infrastructure. This digital divide impacts everything from postal and healthcare services to emergency response and everyday communications. The Sky5 service aims to address:

• Poor connectivity in remote areas: Remote, island, and rural communities often lack reliable 4G/5G networks due to high infrastructure costs and difficult terrain.
• Limited access to services: Poor connectivity affects postal deliveries, healthcare logistics, and emergency services in underserved areas.
• Need for reliable drone communication: UAVs require constant, low-latency communication for safe operation, which current networks in remote areas can’t guarantee.
• Lack of real-time situational awareness: Without strong connectivity, it’s difficult to relay live video, telemetry, and environmental data needed for safe drone flights.
• No resilience in current network setups: A single network failure (e.g. 5G or 4G) can cause full connectivity loss. Sky5 addresses this with multi-network redundancy (5G, 4G, SATCOM)
• Dependence on fibre backhaul: Many remote locations may not have access fibre networks. The Sky5 assesses the uses space-enabled tech and High Altitude Platforms (HAPs) to provide backhaul alternatives.

System Architecture

Plan

The project lifecycle consists of five major milestones, each with its associated deliverables:

1. Milestone 1: Development of a user needs matrix, service and performance requirements, and system functional specifications.
2. Milestone 2: Completion of a UAV feasibility study.
3. Milestone 3: Design of the UAV drone delivery service, including high-level system architecture.
4. Milestone 4: Execution of an industrialised end-to-end system integration in Orkney, alongside a technology exploitation plan.
5. Milestone 5: Delivery of an installation and commissioning report, along with a flight trials and service operations report.

Current Status

The consortium simulated scenarios to determine optimal areas to deploy the 5G masts within Stromness, Graemsay, and Hoy. SAC has determined Hoy to be the preferred scenario based on approved landowner permissions. Skyports has been engaged in ongoing discussions with Royal Mail to establish a seamless logistics network, including training Royal Mail staff as hub operators and visual observers.

Related Links

• Consortium launched to explore 5G-enabled drone deliveries in hard-to-reach areas

Companies

Skyports Drone Services

https://skyportsdroneservices.com/

United Kingdom

Satellite Applications Catapult

https://sa.catapult.org.uk/

United Kingdom

Cranfield University

https://www.cranfield.ac.uk/

United Kingdom

Objectives

Challenges

Integrating satellite non-terrestrial (NTN) and terrestrial (TN) networks enables ubiquitous network access, requiring 5G user equipment (UE), such as handheld devices or vehicle devices, to connect to both networks directly. In this scenario, UEs may need to perform handovers between TN and NTN networks. Optimizing the number of handovers and the success rate of switching between networks is critical to minimize service interruption. Conventionally, handover can be triggered by signal strength measurements, location information, and other parameters such as elevation angle, Timing Advance (TA) values or Doppler values exceeding a predefined threshold. However, the handover decision is also impacted by the high mobility of UEs and satellites, strict Quality of Service (QoS) requirements such as reliability and latency, and the Quality of Experience (QoE) in terms of UE service satisfaction. Additionally, the different architecture between the NTN and TN networks, the changing communication environment, and the end-user requirements may lead the conventional handover to make late/early decisions and switch to the wrong network/cell. For this, ML-aided handover decisions can be a solution for the TN-NTN integrated network to deal with the network’s partial information, uncertainty, rapidly changing environment, and strict time constraints.

System Architecture

The SHINE project focuses on 5G-based handover between different 5G-networks, from which at least one is a satellite-based NTN. Considering the simple case of two 5G-networks, the following scenarios are considered.

Scenario 1: Handover occurs between a TN and an NTN network with certain overlapping coverage over the region of interest.
Scenario 2: Handover occurs between two different NTN networks (operated by different operators), both with complementary coverage.

Plan

ESA SHINE project started in February 2025 and concluded in March 2026.
The project is composed of the following main tasks:

1.  System Scenario Definition
2. Finalised Technical Specification
3. Selected Technical Baseline
4. Verified Detailed Design
5. Implementation and Verification Plan
6. Verified Deliverable Items and Compliance Statement
7. Technology Assessment and Development Plan

Current Status

Ongoing.

Companies

University of Luxembourg

https://wwwen.uni.lu/

Luxembourg

SES

https://www.ses.com

Luxembourg

Objectives

The Small Satellites’ Software-Defined-Radio (SDR) market needs an increase in RF bandwidth and sampling frequency, in a higher number of channels and in more data processing power. This enhances even more for AI operations that requires to move to more powerful devices, using state of art FPGAs, higher component grade capability and to consider “clustering approach” for multi-channels architectures. The main objective of the SDR NeXT project is to design a software-defined reconfigurable platform using a digital board with an high-performing System on a Chip (SoC) as core.

Challenges

The SDRNeXT project targets a high-performance SDR product to penetrate the space SDR market. Herein lies a key challenge to deliver the right set of performance in the shortest possible timeframe. Time-to-market is a challenge for this complex development.

System Architecture

The SDR NeXT project, as a next generation SDR platform, is built as a modular platform, comprising four sections implemented as four electronic boards, each with embedded software serving a specific purpose.

The core is a multipurpose digital section based on the high-processing power of a SoC Zynq UltraScale+. The PCB card is designed to provide mass memory storage, high processing throughput, multiple configuration memories and high-speed communication interface.

Additional communication interface is also implemented on a second card; the communication section.

On top, a flexible and modular transceiver capacity is added with multichannel synchronous receivers and transmitters to provide high RF performances; targeting up to 9 GHz RF input and up to 500 MHz of sampling bandwidth per channel. To support this, the third section is the analogue card which has the analog front-end with Digital-to-Analogue Converters (DACs) and Analog-to-Digital Converters (ADCs) and part of the receiver (Rx) and transmitter (Tx) RF Front-End (FE) chains.

Part of the Rx and Tx channels are implemented in the RF card which provide custom specific capability and a Radio Frequency (RF) front-end.

Plan

The project is targeting a breadboard phase and prototyping phase to derisk the design and to functionally validate the design. After consolidating the electronic design with updated schematics and refined mechanics, an Engineering Model is targeted to perform a functional validation.

In the second phase, the objective is to qualify the product so that it becomes ready for the market. A Qualification Model is produced and tested during this phase. Furthermore, its industrialisation plan is targeted to define manufacturing processes, workmanship verifications and acceptance testing.

Current Status

The design, validation and qualification of the SDRNeXT product is currently ongoing.

The project has successfully passed the Requirements Review and the Preliminary Design Review.

Commercialisation and Go-to-Market Strategy is being developed.

Related Links

• EmTroniX SDR product page

Objectives

The Data Relay Constellation (DRC) aims to significantly enhance satellite communications by deploying relay satellites that function as “ground stations in space”.

Its primary objectives include establishing European sovereignty in the manufacturing and operation of satellite communication infrastructure, thus reducing reliance on external entities. The project seeks a tenfold improvement in satellite telecommand and telemetry (TC/TM) capabilities, targeting at least 90% connectivity availability and minimal latency (<120 seconds nominally).

Additionally, the DRC is designed to revolutionise Earth Observation (EO) data transfer, ensuring continuous connections with speeds of 2.5 Gbps or higher. By combining optical inter-satellite links and robust Radio Frequency (RF) links (S-band, K-band), the constellation provides reliable, efficient, and rapid data relay, significantly shortening the decision-making loop for Earth observation applications.

Ultimately, the DRC fosters independent European capabilities, strengthens critical satellite infrastructure, and enhances responsiveness in satellite-based missions.

Challenges

Key challenges of the Data Relay Constellation include achieving reliable optical inter-satellite links and ensuring continuous high-speed communication despite satellite movement and alignment complexities. Managing signal interference, particularly with RF (S-band, K-band), presents technical hurdles.

Additionally, deploying strategically positioned ground stations globally requires addressing geopolitical, regulatory, and logistical challenges. Balancing cost-efficiency, technology maturity, and maintaining European sovereignty in space-based communications infrastructure adds complexity.

Lastly, ensuring compatibility and interoperability with existing and future satellite systems, while meeting ambitious latency and availability targets (>90% connectivity, <120-second latency), is critical.

System Architecture

The architecture of the Data Relay Constellation (DRC) consists of an integrated network comprising space, ground, and user segments. The space segment features node satellites in low Earth orbit, equipped with Optical Communication Terminals (OCTs) compliant with Space Development Agency standards, and robust S-band and K-band RF links. These satellites communicate with client satellites and each other via high-speed Optical Inter-Satellite Links (OISLs) at ≥2.5 Gbps, providing reliable data relay and minimal latency.

The ground segment includes a global network of strategically placed optical and RF ground stations, ensuring continuous connectivity and data throughput. These stations connect seamlessly to a centralised Mission Control Centre (MCC), responsible for satellite operation, monitoring, dynamic routing table management, and system optimisation.

The user segment provides an intuitive web interface and API, enabling efficient scheduling, monitoring, and management of satellite communications and data flows.

Collectively, this integrated architecture ensures continuous, high-speed connectivity, dramatically reduces communication latency, and improves data relay efficiency. The DRC’s system design addresses connectivity bottlenecks in traditional satellite communications, supporting real-time mission-critical decision-making and ensuring European sovereignty in satellite infrastructure.

Plan

The project plan follows structured phases:

• Phase A (Conceptual Design): Mission definition, system architecture, preliminary risk assessment (Milestone: System Requirements Review – SRR).
• Phase B (Preliminary Design): Subsystem specifications, technical trade-offs, and preliminary testing plans (Milestone: Preliminary Design Review – PDR).
• Phase C (Detailed Design): Final subsystem engineering, prototyping, and validation testing (Milestone: Critical Design Review – CDR).

Phase D (Assembly, Integration, and Testing): Manufacturing, subsystem integration, system-level testing, and launch preparation (Milestone: Launch Readiness Review – LRR)

Current Status

The Data Relay Constellation (DRC) project is currently in Phase B (Preliminary Design). Phase A was successfully completed, defining clear mission objectives, requirements, and initial architecture. Payload preliminary design is actively progressing and set for completion by June/July 2025, while platform design activities are on track, targeting completion by October/November 2025. Presently, subsystem technical trade-offs, risk mitigation, and validation simulations are underway. Preparations for detailed subsystem engineering and prototyping (Phase C) are about to commence, positioning the project for smooth transition toward detailed design and eventual operational deployment.

Companies

Aerospacelab

https://www.aerospacelab.be/

Belgium