With the new Strategic Programme Line “Space Systems for Safety and Security (4S)” created in 2019, ESA Member States have decided to focus and expand their efforts on the benefits that tailored Next Generation SatCom (satellite communication) solutions could bring to our digital infrastructure in terms of increased resilience, security, autonomy, capacity, and coverage.

ESA has partnered with two new companies through the ARTES Core Competitiveness programme, which helps industry to deliver innovation in satellite communications.

As part of the ARTES 4.0 Space Systems for Safety and Security (4S) strategic action, the present Invitation to Tender (ITT) aims to define, specify, and develop the first core elements of an incremental test bed to be used in support of complex telecommunication systems and services design verification and validation.

SX3099 Modem developed through the ARTES Core Competitiveness programme moves another step further deployment.

Astronauts on board the International Space Station are connecting straight to Europe at light speed, thanks to the European Data Relay System.

An upgrade to the communications system is delivering broadband internet speeds similar to those enjoyed by families on Earth.

ESA’s Pacis 3 Partnership Project is gaining pace with validation testing of new Direct Radiating Array (DRA) antenna hardware for Spainsat NG, at Airbus Defence and Space, Madrid.

An innovative antenna pointing mechanism developed by Sener is currently going through the final functional test sequence that should conclude its qualification campaign for the Spainsat NG satellite in the frame of ESA’s Pacis 3 Partnership Project.

Two telecommunications satellites that can be reprogrammed while in space to respond to changing demands on Earth have passed their critical design reviews.

Jointly organised by ESA and the 5G Media Action Group (5G-MAG), an interactive online workshop took place on 1st December, opening the door to some exciting collaborations.

Over 181 people joined the online workshop on “reinventing satellite broadcasting for the 5G-era”, which included representatives from ESA, member state delegations, 5G-MAG members, and industry. The event fostered the discussion between satellite, terrestrial infrastructure and service providers, media, and other vertical representatives, to address the requirements and potential solutions for evolved media distribution, 5G satellite systems and service delivery chains. 

The Telecommunications and Integrated Applications (TIA) Security Office has been launched to support ARTES projects with technical expertise in information security, security engineering and cybersecurity. It will work with companies to ensure their space infrastructure is resilient to threats.