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Open Cosmos will be the operator and manufacturer for a pioneering 6G satellite precursor that will transform future communications and generate a new global communications standard. The activity is fully funded by ESA’s Space for 5G/6G & Sustainable Connectivity programme, within ESA’s Connectivity and Secure Communications directorate.
As part of a consortium led by TESAT, the goal of the satellite is to deliver an in-orbit laboratory, gaining knowledge on end-to-end connectivity and convergence between terrestrial network (TN) and non-terrestrial network (NTN). In particular, the satellite will provide the necessary information and knowledge for boosting the technological potential of European industry and for contributing to the standardisation of next generation 6G communication networks. These are key strategic objectives of ESA’s Space for 5G/6G & Sustainable Connectivity programme line to achieve full integration of satellite with terrestrial 5G/6G networks.
Reliable partner chosen as mission integrator
This marks the 11th satellite Open Cosmos has designed, built and operated since becoming a reliable and trusted partner to organisations launching satellites across the space ecosystem. For this mission, Open Cosmos will be the mission integrator and satellite operator for the 6G satellite precursor. The company is in charge of designing and building the platform, integrating the payloads, launch procurement and satellite operation.
The 6G laboratory in orbit (LINO) will produce a 16U CubeSat and bring it to a low earth orbit. In addition, a full 5G-based ground segment, including a core network, will be established to allow end-end tests including the satellite.
Open Cosmos is working in partnership with several partners in the consortium including TESAT, Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits IIS, University of Surrey, Airbus Defence and Space Friedrichshafen, Deutsche Telekom Business Solutions and VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland.
Open Cosmos was founded in 2015 with a mission to address global sustainability challenges by making actionable information from space available to everyone. With the project set to influence the 3GPP standard definition for 6G, the results could impact the entire telecommunications market and how it rolls out 6G technologies to its customers.
Florian Deconink, Head of Growth at Open Cosmos, said: “6G is the next-generation communications technology and satellites will play an important role in distributing these terrestrial networks to benefit customers across the globe. Testing this technology in space is important so we can understand how satellites can enable everyone across the world to benefit from these important technologies.”
Antonio Franchi, Head of ESA’s Space for 5G/6G & Sustainable Connectivity, said: “In order for satellite to be part of 6G, it is crucial to deliver such an in-orbit laboratory to test seamless integration and interoperability with terrestrial 6G networks and equipment. The project will demonstrate the benefits of satellite in the context of 6G use-cases, based on real-world experience. This allows industry within ESA’s Member States to be at the forefront of technology to introduce 6G NTN functionalities and advise on future standards.”
Henny Sands, Head of Telecommunications at the UK Space Agency, said: “The UK Space Agency is proud to support Open Cosmos in their groundbreaking work on the 6G in-orbit laboratory. This project represents a significant leap forward in the integration of satellite and terrestrial networks and we believe will help shape future 6G requirements by demonstrating the latest in-orbit capabilities. We are excited to see the positive impact it will have on the future of global communications and space-based services."
