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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 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.  

A payload featuring advanced telecommunications antennas, developed under the European Space Agency (ESA)-Hisdesat Pacis 3 Partnership Project and carried on board the SpainSat New Generation I (NG I) satellite, has successfully conducted its in-orbit switch-on for the first time. The achievement, which also benefits from collaboration with Airbus Defence and Space, the Spanish Space Agency, Spain’s government as well as the country’s key space industry players, marks a major milestone for secure satellite communications in Europe.

The paper – titled “Converging Earth and Space: Advancing Automotive” and featuring research conducted under the Space for 5G/6G and Sustainable Connectivity programme of the European Space Agency's (ESA) 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.

The European Space Agency (ESA) continues to drive forward-looking satellite technologies through its Advanced Manufacturing Processes for High Reliability Photonics Transceivers (AutoMAIT) project. The successful activity has demonstrated an improvement on the critical alignment of optical fibres that communicate data at high speed with semiconductor photonic integrated circuit (PIC) devices, converting the data into electronic signals.

From the European Space Agency's (ESA) European Centre for Space Applications and Telecommunications (ECSAT)’s 5G/6G Hub, British company UniVirtua has successfully demonstrated a new product called dashAlpha – a connectivity-enhancing software platform that offers a step forward in reliable connectivity for self-driving cars, transport as well as vehicles crucial for disaster relief.

ESA's Connectivity and Secure Communications and the Future Communications Research and Development Programme (FCP) at the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) have formalised a tighter research partnership on 5G/6G non-terrestrial networks (NTNs).  This collaboration falls within the Space for 5G/6G & Sustainable Connectivity programme of ESA’s Advanced Research in Telecommunications Systems (ARTES).

A new CubeSat developed with support from the European Space Agency (ESA) has made it to orbit as a part of the Direct Access Live Demonstration (LIDE) mission. Aiming to test the feasibility and demonstrate establishing a stable 5G connection from low Earth orbit, LIDE serves as a proof-of-concept to provide connectivity anywhere in the world – especially in underserved areas.

As part of a telemedicine demonstration, European Space Agency (ESA) teams based at the European Centre for Space Applications and Telecommunications (ECSAT) in Harwell, UK, and the European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC) in Noordwijk, The Netherlands, partnered with leading telecommunications company Nokia to showcase telemedicine applications of the Real-time eXtended Reality Multimedia (RXRM) system.