ESA Supports Austrian Innovation in Multi-Orbit Satellite Communications Technology
The European Space Agency (ESA), together with the Austrian Aerospace Agency (ALR/FFG) and the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Mobility and Infrastructure, is supporting the Multibeam Ka-band Satellite User Terminal (MUKAS) project, funded through ESA's Core Competitiveness programme, which is part of the Advanced Research in Telecommunications Systems (ARTES 4.0) programme, through its support of an Austrian consortium developing next-generation multi-orbit Satcom user terminal technology.
The project, led by Vienna-based high-tech antenna specialist PIDSO – Propagation Ideas & Solutions GmbH, brings together leading Austrian expertise from Joanneum Research Forschungsgesellschaft mbH (Graz) and S+K Consult. ESA’s support goes beyond funding, providing technical guidance and validation frameworks that help transform innovative concepts into market-ready solutions.
The multi-orbit satcom user terminal being developed addresses a critical need in today's evolving satellite landscape. As constellations expand across different orbital regimes – geostationary (GEO), medium Earth orbit, and low Earth orbit (LEO) – connectivity solutions must adapt to these complex environments. The innovative terminal will offer seamless operation across all common satellite constellations, delivering maximum transmission performance and reliability.
The user terminal leverages a modular design and compact form factor, making it suitable for both stationary and mobile applications. This versatility opens new possibilities for delivering solutions.
ESA is proud to be supporting Austrian industry, as it strengthens its national expertise in the space sector and enhances the country's global visibility as a hub for space innovation. With this, PIDSO is an Austrian success story with its extensive know-how in high-performance antennas and wireless communication to the project, leveraging years of experience across aerospace, automotive, and research industries.
"Through collaboration with our partners at the ALR and FFG, we’re proud to support PIDSO in developing innovative multi-orbit satcom technology, and the wider, rapidly growing Austrian space ecosystem," said Jerome Colinas, Telecommunications System Engineer within ESA's Connectivity and Secure Communications directorate.
“We are proud to take this next technological leap in satellite communication together with ESA. This partnership is both a great honour and a strong motivation,” says DI Dr. Christoph Kienmayer, Managing Director of PIDSO.