Opening: High thRoughput Optical Network Demonstration System (HydRON-DS) Element #3: User Segment and Evolution

  • Opportunity Open Call for Proposals
  • Opening date 03-07-2025

INTRODUCTION

European Space Agency (ESA) is pioneering the world’s first optical multi-orbit transport network – and this call is your opportunity to be part of it!

Your company can benefit from a dedicated initiative launched by ESA and its Member States to foster the development of a thriving ecosystem for optical communication products – whether in space, on the ground, or in the air.

This call is not limited to hardware development and demonstration; it also offers a unique opportunity to propose innovative network or service concepts you may wish to share.

The following sections will provide you with detailed information about the objectives, scope, and processes driving this call.

HYDRON: WHAT'S DRIVING US? 

The High Throughput Optical Network (HydRON) is a flagship project under ESA’s Advanced Research in Telecommunications (ARTES) Strategic Programme Line, Optical and Quantum Communications – ScyLight.

HydRON aims to demonstrate the world’s first optical multi-orbit transport network with terabit-per-second capacity in space, seamlessly extending terrestrial fibre-based networks into orbit. In essence, HydRON will help extend the “Internet beyond the Cloud(s)".

This groundbreaking initiative will support the next generation of institutional and commercial space telecommunications missions, which demand advanced communication capabilities not currently available. Through HydRON, European and Canadian industries will collaborate to develop and validate the enabling technologies required to realise this vision.

The HydRON mission statement is:

“Fibre in the Sky” technology integrated with terrestrial networks at Terabit capacity demonstrated by European and Canadian Industries”.

The HydRON project aims to implement the HydRON Demonstration System (HydRON-DS), encompassing its development, deployment, in-orbit testing, and demonstration phases.

The HydRON-DS (see Figure 1) will consist of the minimum viable set of space and ground segment elements required to validate high-capacity optical data transport and demonstrate flexible, dynamic networking capabilities. These capabilities, necessary to demonstrate high-capacity data transport, will support flexible network connectivity to and between assets and users located both in space and on the ground.

The ambition of HydRON-DS is to demonstrate seamless interconnectivity between space-based and terrestrial assets, delivering low-latency and/or high-capacity optical data transport services. This will enable the integration of satellite communication systems into terrestrial network infrastructures, supporting future hybrid network architectures.

The deployment timeline for HydRON-DS targets a launch in 2027, followed by an In-Orbit Demonstration (IOD) phase during 2028–2029, during which the system’s performance and service capabilities will be validated under operational conditions.

The HydRON-DS has two main mission objectives:

  • 1. Mission Objective #1: technology verification in an end-to-end system demonstration
  • 2. Mission Objective #2: validation of operational concepts in support of Service Demonstration

and one mission goal:

  • Mission Goal: provision of Service Demonstration in support of Future Service (i.e. commercial exploitation after successful completion of the In-Orbit Demonstration)

WHAT ARE WE LOOKING FOR?

The Call for HydRON-DS Element #3 (HDS-E#3) invites co-funded industry-led proposals that align ESA’s objectives for the HydRON-DS Technology Demonstration Mission with innovative concepts from stakeholders addressing emerging opportunities in the satellite communications market.

HDS-E#3 focuses primarily on the User Segment and Service Demonstrations, while also providing a framework to showcase novel technologies within the scope of the HydRON-DS initiative.

This call seeks to collect Outline Proposals from industry participants, which may lead to a request for Full Proposals upon evaluation and invitation by ESA. Proposals should detail the planned activities and their relevance to the objectives of HDS-E#3.

The call is open to a broad range of stakeholders, including Service Providers, (Space and Terrestrial) Network Operators, System Primes, and Equipment Manufacturers, potentially supported by research groups or academia.

The Outline Proposal should include comprehensive information across the following dimensions: technical approach, management structure, implementation and cooperation strategy, financial planning, and an outline of the targeted business case(s). This information will form the basis for discussions with ESA's technical experts and subsequently with the National representatives of the Participating States of the Optical and Quantum Communications – ScyLight programme and the HydRON project.

The proposal must also detail the potential cooperation framework between the proposing industry entities (e.g., Service Providers, Operators, System Primes, and User Equipment Manufacturers) and ESA. This includes outlining any flight opportunities, utilisation plans for HDS-E#3, and strategies for commercial exploitation or other forms of co-investment.

SUBMIT YOUR PROPOSAL TODAY!

The HDS-E#3 Call is open to entities established in the Participating States of the Optical and Quantum Communications – ScyLight programme and the HydRON project. Eligible industry stakeholders are invited to submit proposals aimed at leading the definition, development, and in-orbit demonstration of the HDS-E#3 element.

This call is conducted under the framework of the ARTES 4.0 Open Call for Proposals managed by ESA’s Directorate of Connectivity and Secure Communication for the Optical and Quantum Communications – ScyLight.

Detailed guidelines for the HDS-E#3 Call can be downloaded here: HDS-E#3 Call Guidelines. 

Participating States include: Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czechia, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.

Submitted ideas will be assessed for:

  • 1. Compliance to the Call Guidelines for HDS-E#3
  • 2. Innovation, credibility and feasibility
  • 3. Commercial, strategic and technological relevance
  • 4. Performance impacts at sub-system or system level
  • 5. Direct or indirect business opportunity for the ARTES Member States’ industry

For any further questions, please contact us directly at ScyLight@esa.int, and refer to the announcement on the esa-star news announcement.

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