Viasat Selected by
European Space Agency to Conduct Multi-Layered
SATCOM Study
July 26, 2022
Viasat UK Ltd., announced
it was selected by the European Space Agency
(ESA) to conduct a multi-layered Satellite
Communication (SATCOM) study focused on
evaluating the use cases, market segments and
technical aspects of these future systems, which
will be comprised of networks that span multiple
orbital types including Geostationary Equatorial
Orbit (GEO), Medium Earth Orbit (MEO), Low Earth
Orbit (LEO), High Altitude Platform Systems
(HAPS) and others, as well as include various
frequency bands, satellite operators and network
designs.
Multi-layered, hybrid
networks are increasingly being explored as an
enabler of enhanced communications agility and
performance, as well as a provider of critical
resilience to protect against potential
disruptions or attacks. This new research, which
will be conducted over the next year, will look
to answer some fundamental questions around the
future implementation and use of multi-layered
networks. This includes examining the current
technology trends and assessing different
markets that would most benefit from
multi-layered SATCOM system applications.
Additionally, the research will analyze
existing layered SATCOM networks to evaluate the
approach, benefits and limitations for those
market segment applications.
The study will explore a
system design that supports the full range of
both current and future satellite service types,
increased spectral efficiency, and
interoperability. It will involve several tasks
to assess the current market and technologies,
develop system requirements and trade-off
exercises, modelling and simulation, further
analyses and provision of a future roadmap.
"We are excited to
collaborate with ESA on this research project to
further the collective understanding of
multi-layered networks and how they can increase
capability, resilience, and performance for
end-users across commercial and government,"
said John Reeves, managing director of Viasat
UK. "As a SATCOM provider serving multiple
markets, we see tremendous potential in using
multi-layered space networks for different
sectors and mission use cases. Our work with ESA
will consider all different types of orbital
satellites, networks and frequency bands and
ultimately provide recommendations to guide the
formation, technical needs and use of these
future multi-layered networks."
This research program is
expected to be completed in the second quarter
of 2023 and could offer UK, European and allied
nations important guidance on a pathway toward
developing and harnessing the potential of
resilient multi-layered SATCOM capabilities.
CNES announces the winners
of micro and mini launcher operators to operate
from the Guiana Space Center
At the end of 2021, CNES
launched a call for applications to host micro
and mini-launchers at the Guiana Space Centre,
thus expressing, in close collaboration with
ESA, its desire to open Europe's spaceport to
new operators.
Among the applications
received, 7 winners were pre-selected throughout
Europe, including 2 French (1): AVIO SPA
(Italy), HyImpulse Technologies GmbH (Germany),
ISAR Aerospace (Germany), MAIA Space (France),
Payload Aerospace (Spain), Rocket Factory
(Germany), Latitude (ex-Venture Orbital Systems,
France). Other operators may be pre-selected
during a subsequent complementary call for
applications, in particular according to the
reception capacities identified at the CSG.
CNES is particularly
pleased with the presence, among the
shortlisted, of the French companies MAIA and
Latitude (formerly Venture Orbital Systems), an
illustration of the dynamism of the national
industrial fabric that CNES has been stimulating
for a long time.
With the advent of the New
Space and the corresponding prospects on the
international commercial market, there is a
flourishing interest in the development of new
micro and mini-launcher systems. The Guiana
Space Center located in Kourou, French Guiana,
offers a particularly favorable geographical
location for the realization of certain launches
as well as a long experience of more than 50
years in this field. The welcome of these new
commercial operators is part of the
transformation that Europe's spaceport is
currently undergoing and demonstrates its strong
attractiveness.
The Diamant site has been
selected by CNES to welcome these new
micro/mini-launchers. Its facilities will be
composed of common means (access road, energy
supply, etc.) that can be used for several
launchers, as well as means specific to each
launcher (launch table, assembly building,
etc.).
Following the pre-selection
of these operators, CNES will gradually enter
into discussions with each of them, depending on
the respective technical and financial progress
of their project, for the signing of a
preliminary agreement defining the principles
and conditions of their reception at the CSG.
This signature will thus formalize their
selection, before the signing of contracts for
the implementation of the means