31 Oct 2025

The European Space Agency’s (ESA) Space for 5G/6G & Sustainable Connectivity programme, in collaboration with leading satellite manufacturers Airbus Defence and Space, Eutelsat OneWeb, and an industrial consortium, have successfully performed the world’s first 5G New Radio signal handover to a satellite constellation in low Earth orbit (LEO). The test took place at the 5G/6G Telecom Lab at ESA’s European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC) in The Netherlands. This achievement is the result of close collaboration between ESA’s Connectivity and Secure Communications and Technology, Engineering and Quality directorates, as well as world-class industry technical expertise.

A milestone in the integration of terrestrial networks and non-terrestrial networks, the demonstration proves the feasibility of providing a reliable and consistent connectivity even as it is relayed from the ground to satellites in LEO. Due to their complexity, legacy terrestrial network handover procedures for 5G signals have previously resulted in a degraded performance and poor signal continuity, making them unsuitable for widespread commercialisation in non-terrestrial networks. The new specified Conditional Handover protocol tested at ESTEC allows signals to be configured quickly within a narrow window of availability during satellite passes for a seamless experience. This development clears a major hurdle in the deployment of integrated terrestrial and satellite networks, which are intended to provide faster, more reliable and ubiquitous coverage to consumers and operators. 

In September, ESA, Airbus Defence and Space and Eutelsat OneWeb signed a Memorandum of Intent (MoI), framing their shared objective to collaborate on over-the-air demonstrations for technologies and systems for 5G via satellite. This signature is underscored by ESA’s ambition to promote commercial applications of space systems. Already, the Agency is supporting the development of 5G NTN technology along specifications outlined by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), and has  continued building a network of collaborations to bolster European competitiveness in the field. 

In addition to the MoI participants, global technical expertise was also instrumental to the success of this test campaign. MediaTek, a semiconductor manufacturer and fellow member of the 5G EMERGE project with ESA, designed the user equipment (UE) for the test, with Sharp providing the UE Array Antenna. Electronics experts Rohde & Schwarz and ITRI also provided the non-terrestrial network test & measurement equipment and gNodeB respectively. 

“By partnering with Airbus Defence and Space, Eutelsat and partners, this innovative step in the integration of terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks proves why collaboration is an essential ingredient in boosting competitiveness and growth of Europe’s satellite communications sector,” said David Phillips, Head of the Systems, Strategic Programme Lines and Technology Department at ESA’s Connectivity and Secure Communications directorate, which hosts the Space for 5G/6G & Sustainable Connectivity programme. “ESA is delighted to have exchanged knowledge and expertise with industry, as we work towards our joint aim to provide seamless connectivity for the benefit of Europe and beyond.”

“At ESA, we’re working to advance the satellite technology that will bring a seamless connectivity experience to our citizens, ensuring that they are connected everywhere, at all times, and via any device. In particular, our Telecom Laboratory at ESTEC is central to providing industry with a testbed in the deployment of future 5G/6G services. It is through this effort that we will fast-track innovations in the integration of satellite and ground networks, while shaping the future 6G standard,” said Sylvain Bouchart, Head of the Electrical Department within ESA’s Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality.

“As a global leader in terrestrial and non-terrestrial connectivity, we continue in our mission to improve lives by enabling technology that connects the world around us, including areas with little to no cellular coverage,” said Mingxi Fan, Head of Wireless System and ASIC Engineering at MediaTek. “By making real-world connections with Eutelsat LEO satellites in orbit, together with our ecosystem partners, we are now another step closer to bring the next generation of 3GPP-based New Radio-Non-Terrestrial Network (NR-NTN) satellite wideband connectivity for commercial uses.

Daniele Finocchiaro, Head of Telecom R&D and Projects at Eutelsat, said: “We are proud to be among the leading companies working on NTN specifications, and to be the first satellite operator to test NTN broadband over Ku-band LEO satellites. Collaboration with important partners is a key element when working on a new technology, and we especially appreciate the support of the European Space Agency. Together, we will shape the future world of broadband connectivity, always aiming to provide better services to our customers”.

Elodie Viau, Head of Telecom and Navigation Systems at Airbus, said: “This connectivity demonstration performed with Airbus-built LEO Eutelsat satellites confirms our product adaptability. The successful showcase of Advanced New Radio NTN handover capability marks a major step towards enabling seamless, global broadband connectivity for 5G devices. These results reflect the strong collaboration between all partners involved, whose combined expertise and commitment have been key to achieving this milestone. Airbus is proud to advance the satellites integration into everyday connectivity for our customers.”

Masahiro Okitsu, President & CEO, Sharp Corporation, said: “We are proud to announce that we have successfully demonstrated Conditional Handover over 5G-Advanced NR-NTN connection using OneWeb constellation and our newly developed user terminals. This achievement marks a significant step toward the practical implementation of non-terrestrial networks. Leveraging the expertise we have cultivated over many years in terrestrial communications, we are honoured to bring innovation to the field of satellite communications as well. Moving forward, we will continue to contribute to the evolution of global communication infrastructure and strive to realize a society where everyone is seamlessly connected.”

“In this trial, ITRI showcased its advanced NR-NTN gNB technology as an integral part of the NR-NTN communication system, enabling conditional handover on the Rel-19 system,” said Dr. Pang-An Ting, Vice President and General Director of Information and Communications Research Laboratories at ITRI. “We see great potential in 3GPP NTN communication to deliver ubiquitous coverage and seamless connectivity in full integration with terrestrial networks. As a pioneer in commercial NR-NTN connectivity solutions (Ameba RAN), ITRI is actively driving innovation in NR-NTN gNB development and is eager to work closely with ecosystem partners to seize emerging NTN opportunities.”

Goce Talaganov, Vice President of Mobile Radio Testers at Rohde & Schwarz, said: “We at Rohde & Schwarz are excited to have contributed to this industry milestone with our test and measurement expertise. For real-time NR-NTN channel characterisation, we used our high-end signal generation and analysis instruments R&S SMW200A and FSW. Our CMX500-based NTN test suite replicated the Ku-band conditional handover scenarios in the lab. This rigorous testing, which addresses the challenges of satellite-based communications, paved the way for further performance optimisation of MediaTek’s and Sharp’s 5G-Advanced NTN devices.”

The validation of Conditional Handover has benefits for the entire satellite ecosystem. It will give European industry a competitive edge for the planning and development of satellite constellations destined for commercial exploitation. 

The consortium is grateful to the Dutch Authority for Digital Infrastructure for their support in obtaining the experimental licensing for ESA.

Discover more about our Space for 5G/6G & Sustainable Connectivity programme line and find out how ESA can take your technology to the next level.

11 Oct 2025

The Bharat 6G Alliance, a consortium of Indian academia, industry and national research institutions, has revealed a Memorandum of Intent (MoI) to cooperate with the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Connectivity and Secure Communications’ Space for 5G/6G & Sustainable Connectivity programme to develop the next generation of 5G and 6G telecommunications.

Announced on 8 October 2025, during the opening ceremony of the International Bharat 6G Symposium in parallel to the India Mobile Congress 2025, the MoI sets forth a shared objective to collaborate on the development and commercialisation of a next generation cellular network integrating satellite and terrestrial networks.

The announcement took place in the presence of India’s Hon’ble Union Minister of Communications, Jyotiraditya M. Scindia; Dr. Neeraj Mittal, Secretary Department of Telecommunications; senior government officers; distinguished global and national experts; academia and industry.

This Memorandum recognises the necessity of developing technological and stakeholder ecosystems in support of 6G networks. This move is consistent with both organisations’ respective mandates to advance the prosperity and well-being of citizens, opening avenues for knowledge exchange and business collaboration.

In under ten years, 5G communications have enabled a myriad of novel technological applications relying on data-connected devices, ranging from telemedicine to disaster relief. According to a UN Trade and Development report, this digital economy is valued at trillions of euros, and has led to a dramatic increase in the volume of data transmitted and in the number of connected devices across cellular networks. The integration of satellite communications in 5G and future 6G networks will enable faster and more resilient communications, whilst ensuring better privacy and ubiquitous coverage.

“This collaboration with the Bharat 6G Alliance underscores ESA’s commitment to international cooperation. By supporting innovation and working closely with India’s expertise, particularly through the unification of terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks, we are taking another step to ensuring that the cellular network of tomorrow will be ready to serve the needs of our citizens,” said Laurent Jaffart, Director of ESA’s Connectivity and Secure Communications. “With 6G, we will enable smarter, more sustainable, networks that will provide connectivity wherever and whenever our citizens need it most.”

“With 6G, we aim to build smarter, more sustainable, networks that provide secure and ubiquitous connectivity for everyone,” said Prof. David Koilpillai, Chair of the Bharat 6G Alliance and Professor at IIT Madras.

ESA’s Connectivity and Secure Communications directorate places a strategic focus on the role of space technology in 5G/6G through its Advanced Research in Telecommunications Systems (ARTES) programme. The Space for 5G/6G & Sustainable Connectivity programme fosters partnerships with industry for the development of viable and competitive satellite connectivity technologies and services.

17 Sep 2025

European Space Agency’s (ESA) Connectivity and Secure Communications has released a new white paper – published under the Space for 5G/6G and Sustainable Connectivity programme of ESA’s Advanced Research in Telecommunications Systems (ARTES) – that explores how European industry as well as lawmakers can capitalise on the opportunities created by advancing direct-to-device (D2D) technology; from sustainability solutions; all the way to disaster response.

The paper, titled Converging Earth and Space: Direct-to-Device Connectivity via Satellite, highlights the importance of the introduction of the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) standard – an international protocol for cellular technology  – that allows for seamless connectivity and exchange of information between devices in a local ecosystem. Modern non-terrestrial networks are also ever more frequently designed with built-in compatibility with 3GPP, opening the  door to seamless connectivity between them and the ground.

These innovations are not only an opportunity, but also a necessity. In an environment comprised of ever more interconnected devices, the need for ubiquitous connectivity anywhere and anytime on Earth has become a fact of life. Systems such as the Internet of Things (IoT) sensors are already used in anything from agriculture, through to logistics and heavy industry. At the same time, it is estimated that 2.6 billion people still lack reliable mobile broadband coverage globally. As a result, gaps in terrestrial networks coverage affect not only private citizens, but businesses and entire industries. This is why unlocking the potential of convergence between ground and space-based networks is a key to maintaining Europe’s competitiveness and technological sovereignty.

ESA remains an active contributor to this shift through its Space for 5G/6G and Sustainable Connectivity programme. The paper also recognises the need for a coordinated approach, and lays out a roadmap identifying three critical periods for the D2D development: the foundation and early validation of technologies that’s currently taking place, followed by maturation and pre-commercial pilots expected to emerge towards the end of 2020s. Finally, around 2028 and onwards, the paper predicts mature D2D technologies to be deployed as fully operational services.

The push for a more coordinated approach to the revolution in how we see and use connectivity infrastructure is also reflected by ESA’s Non-Terrestrial Networks Forum that fosters exchange of expertise and views among all stakeholders involved in telecommunications.

“Our white paper takes no shortcuts in calling on both lawmakers and industry to embrace the opportunity carried by the revolution in non-terrestrial networks that is happening before our eyes,” said Antonio Franchi, the Head of ESA’s Space for 5G/6G and Sustainable Connectivity programme. “The Space for 5G/6G programme helps lay out the path to a more standardised, integrated and coherent connectivity architecture. Only then, will we use the resources we have to the fullest in building the direct-to-device connectivity infrastructure worthy of the 21st century economies of ESA’s Member States.”

15 Sep 2025

A set of large-scale non-terrestrial networks (NTNs) trials aiming to showcase the vast utility of space-based 5G and 6G communications are set to be conducted across Europe as a part of the European Commission’s Smart Networks Services Joint Undertaking (SNS JU) 6G-SANDBOX project. ESA’s Space for 5G/6G & Sustainable Connectivity programme has joined the initiative to lend its portfolio of 5G and 6G NTN expertise. ESA is also inviting companies and research institutions working in this domain, who are engaged in current or previous ESA contracts, to take part in the trials.  

The SNS JU 6G-SANDBOX project, which is funded under the Horizon Europe programme, and is part of the Smart Networks Services Joint Undertaking (SNS JU), aims to combine digital and physical nodes to create end-to-end networks, allowing researchers and organisations to validate new technologies and research advances for the future of 6G. Commencing in early 2026, the trials are set to culminate with the European Conference on Networks and Communications 6G Summit in Málaga. With a consortium of eighteen companies and research institutions from Spain, Greece, Germany, Finland, Poland, Belgium and the United Kingdom, led by Keysight Technologies, the trials are open for third parties from Europe and beyond to join. Furthermore, any company that works or has worked with ESA on any 5G/6G related project is invited to partake and test new technologies in a truly diverse technological environment.

ESA’s involvement in the project is also an opportunity to showcase several NTN connectivity solutions in conjunction with the ground infrastructure distributed across Europe and internationally. By joining the SNS JU 6G-SANDBOX, ESA brings in a considerable portfolio of ongoing and completed experiments conducted under the Advanced Research in Telecommunications Systems (ARTES) programme. By offering expertise in the demonstration of terrestrial-NTN convergence to the SNS-JU 6G-SANDBOX trials, ESA widens the scope and scale of testing, promising increased outreach and more robust results.

“By joining the SNS JU 6G-SANDBOX and leading large-scale NTN trials, ESA contributes not only valuable expertise but also a unique portfolio of experimental non-terrestrial 5G and 6G infrastructures. These assets will enable deeper, more rigorous experimentation, deliver results that are both reliable and globally relevant, and set a benchmark for how Europe can drive innovation in NTN connectivity – turning visionary ideas into worldwide standards and real-world services,” said Antonio Franchi, Head of ESA’s Space for 5G/6G and Sustainable Connectivity programme.

“We are very grateful for the close cooperation with ESA, which enables us to offer advanced, realistic NTN technology experimentation in the frame of the SNS JU 6G-SANDBOX. Such experimentation will serve as an accelerator for the NTN community in maturing the technology. SNS JU 6G-SANDBOX is very proud to be a catalyst for the 6G research community. We welcome the NTN community to express interest by bringing their devices or technologies for inclusion in these trials” said Michael Dieudonne, 6G-SANDBOX Project Coordinator and R&D Manager at Keysight Technologies.

If you would like to know more about getting involved with the SNS JU 6G-SANDBOX trials, email 5G@esa.int with your query or go to 6G-SANDBOX

09 Sep 2025

The European Space Agency’s (ESA) Connectivity and Secure Communications directorate has released a white paper exploring how modern technology, particularly the new generation of low Earth orbit non-terrestrial networks (NTNs), has become deeply intertwined with the automotive sector.

The paper – titled “Converging Earth and Space: Advancing Automotive” and featuring research conducted under the Space for 5G/6G and Sustainable Connectivity programme of ESA’s Advanced Research in Telecommunications Systems (ARTES) – explores how the European automotive industry has already leveraged space services for connectivity, navigation and logistics, as well as how there are still avenues to further increase market competitiveness, passenger comfort, and safety by integrating space solutions into the automotive industry.

Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CAV) are already here. In response to the modern level of sophistication of transportation infrastructure, as well as the amounts of data generated and exchanged between CAVs in real time, the paper pronounces the need for reliable, secure, and ubiquitous connectivity to ensure adequate accident prevention and traffic management.

The paper also argues that terrestrial networks alone cannot meet the high requirements of safety-critical automotive applications. This creates a natural need for terrestrial and non-terrestrial network integration, resulting in an overall improvement of vehicle connectivity.

One of such improvement to connectivity is the Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) solution that relies on the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) – an international standard for cellular technology – to allow the vehicle to connect not only with other vehicles, but with infrastructure, pedestrians, and the network itself. However, to assure a seamless operation of systems such as V2X, there is a need for enhanced coordination between automakers, satellite operators, mobile network operators, and regulators.

A gradual convergence between terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks, driven by standardisation bodies such as 3GPP and the efforts of organisations such as ESA and 5G Automotive Association (5GAA), allow for optimisation of networks to adjust to client needs at any given time. The upshot is that more opportunities for integration with Connected Autonomous Vehicles are opened, creating a resilient “network of networks” for high-availability automotive connectivity, supporting CAV, road logistics and better road safety.

“The automotive sector vividly demonstrates that space is not a separate domain – we rely on it every day, often without realising it. Yet far greater potential lies ahead. By fostering deeper convergence between the space and automotive industries, we can unlock powerful opportunities to enhance road safety, reduce congestion, and transform travel experience,” said Antonio Franchi, Head of ESA’s Space for 5G/6G and Sustainable Connectivity programme. “Seamlessly integrating non-terrestrial connectivity into a broader system of systems will help make Europe’s roads safer and strengthen the global competitiveness of its automotive industry.”

“While the technology readiness and sophistication of smart and autonomous vehicles continues to advance rapidly, it is outpacing the development of the infrastructure needed to integrate those modern vehicles into our daily lives,” said Ivalina Petrova, former ESA Telecommunications Engineer and co-author of the white paper. “There is a need of a seamless, high-capacity connectivity solution that can manage escalating vehicle data demands, enable V2X communication with the surrounding environment, and support critical functions such as traffic coordination and road safety.