Europe is aiming for a network of satellites to provide fast internet to civilian and military users. A technological challenge to be won by trying to overcome Starlink
Upnext, the company controlled by Airbus, will manage the new demonstrator satellite called Airbus UpNext SpaceRan (an acronym from the Space Radio Access Network), whose mission is to enable standardized global connectivity by exploring the advanced capabilities of 5G in a “Non-Terrestrial Network” (Ntn) configuration. The European aerospace giant wants to provide customers with a secure and affordable way to stay connected to the web regardless of where they are. This demonstrator therefore aims to explore 5G Ntn, a versatile technology compatible with all types of professional applications. Whether for commercial, defense or government uses, the project will confirm the feasibility of universal, standardized, interoperable and globally available connectivity. UpNext SpaceRan leverages the capabilities of Airbus’ software-defined satellites to manage and optimize 5G signals in orbit. It means that they can be remotely reprogrammed after launch, test the behavior of satellites in low orbit (Leo), with particular attention to the transfer and routing of data between satellites, connect aircraft and users on the ground as if it were a 5G telephony base station. By processing data directly in space rather than simply retransmitting them, the demonstrator will be able to reduce the so-called latency times, maximizing transmission capacity and making management and routing in the network more efficient, paving the way for direct connectivity between users. Michael Augello, CEO of Airbus UpNext, said: “The successful exploration of this technology will unlock benefits across multiple industries. For commercial aviation, it offers the potential to increase operational efficiency and simplify interoperability, while improving the passenger experience. Likewise, for the military and government sectors, the goal is to provide more robust and secure communications for those who need to make decisions very quickly.” To realize this initiative, Airbus has brought together a consortium of partners that includes companies such as Aalyria, Acceler Comm, Cesium Astro, Deutsche Telekom, Eutelsat, Industrial Technology Research Institute (Itri), Keysight Technologies, Onati, Radisys, Sener and ST Engineering iDirect. The program is developed as part of “Air!5G”, the project supported by the French government through the France 2030 investment plan as part of the Future Networks strategy. The demonstrator should show the first results by 2028. It will be a fundamental element to prepare the next generation of wireless technologies (6G) and, in perspective, to reduce the costs of transmitting data into orbit.
The problems of 5G in space
In space, a radio transmission, even that of 5G, is affected by significant shifts in the reception frequency due to the Doppler effect, due to the fact that satellites in low orbit (Leo) are rapidly moving. This also leads to having to manage propagation delays over large distances and having to apply error correction systems. Not least are the problems caused by interference with terrestrial networks, by the complex management of the network especially when it must function (therefore communicate) with older generation ones (4G) and the hostile effects that manifest themselves in space, such as radiation and extreme temperature excursions. This has been addressed in part by the Starlink constellation using thousands of small satellites in low Earth orbit to provide high-speed, low-latency broadband Internet globally, a dramatic improvement over traditional high-orbit satellites for satellite Internet. It works by transmitting data from these fast-moving satellites up to the user’s satellite dish and this then connects to the home router without needing to run along terrestrial cables. However, it is impossible to do without them, since they remain an alternative that is not affected by signal attenuations caused by particularly violent weather conditions, blocking of control centers and possible problems with the satellites.
