JoeySat Celebrates its Second Anniversary
The European Space Agency (ESA) and Eutelsat OneWeb teams celebrated a significant milestone in advancing global connectivity solutions as its innovative JoeySat demonstrator satellite marked its second year in orbit. Developed under the ESA Sunrise Partnership Project in collaboration with Eutelsat OneWeb and with support from the UK Space Agency and industry from five other ESA Member States, JoeySat has successfully completed its comprehensive two-year test campaign at 3 low Earth orbit altitudes.
Launched into low Earth orbit on 20 May 2023 aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, JoeySat is named after the hopping baby kangaroo, mirroring its beam-hopping capabilities. Unlike traditional satellite systems which struggle to efficiently allocate their limited spectral resources to meet various business requirements, JoeySat's innovative approach directly addresses this challenge through its fully digital payload, which enables rapid switching between different locations.
By enabling dynamic allocation of communication resources, JoeySat enhances global connectivity, supporting emergency response efforts, and contributes to bridging the digital divide. Its successful demonstration paves the way for more resilient and adaptable satellite communication systems, benefiting businesses and citizens across the globe.
Its capabilities have been tested with an innovative ground segment, including a Multi-beam Phased Array Gateway Antenna and various user terminals (portable, aeronautical, and maritime). The 5G Pilot Tests have successfully demonstrated applications ranging from video streaming to Internet of Things (IoT) and Augmented/Virtual Reality (AR/VR) solutions, all critical technologies for tomorrow's business environment. JoeySat's development using off-the-shelf components and a lean management approach, allowed for rapid development and deployment within just two years of contract signing.
By supporting the development and demonstration of advanced beam-hopping technology, ESA is helping European industry maintain its competitive edge in the rapidly evolving satellite communications market.
“We are proud to be celebrating the second anniversary of JoeySat, the successes it has delivered, and the future innovation we can look forward to. JoeySat showcases how ESA, its Member States and industry can work together to develop and launch in a very short timeframe a satellite enabling organisations and people to access reliable connectivity wherever and whenever they need it”, said Khalil Kably, ESA Telecom Satellite Project Manager.
Guillaume Scottez, Senior Director for Innovation at Eutelsat Group said "JoeySat was a key step in proving new technologies like digital beam hopping and beam-steering-capabilities that underpin our next-generation satellites. We’re grateful to ESA and the UK Space Agency for their support in making this milestone possible."
“As we mark JoeySat’s second anniversary, we’re proud of how this mission has pushed the boundaries of what’s possible in satellite communications,” said Henny Sands, Head of Telecommunications at the UK Space Agency. “It’s a shining example of UK innovation delivering real-world impact and driving forward connectivity solutions.”