Project description
A smarter satellite communication service
Space and internet technologies are converging more and more. Low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite systems are becoming vital for the next generation of data communication, which is key to Europe’s efforts to play a major role in commercial and science missions. The EU-funded SDG project develops an intelligent Nanosat communication service in LEO, which aims to considerably increase on-demand data transmission from space, while optimising satellite operations and reducing costs. The solution offers a plug and play satellite communication system, autonomous mission operations capacity based on AI, as well as digital mission control via the cloud. In this way LEO satellites, which orbit between 300 and 2 000 km above the Earth’s surface, will become safer and more reliable.
Objective
Space Data Gateway (SDG) is an Intelligent NanoSat Communication service in Low Earth orbit (LEO), capable of transmitting on-demand space data (speeds of data transmission of 150 Mbps and above) at a fraction of the cost (as low as 5 EUR per GB). The main innovation is the capability for NanoSats to interconnect in LEO by using SDG satellite communication modules and antennas and transmit up-to 50x more data per mission. The proposed service will enable the user to have plug & play satellite communication system and AI-based autonomous mission operations capability, as well as cloud-based Digital Mission Control. This will reduce the price of NanoSat missions by 65% on average and at the same time lower the complexity of the satellite communications and increase the volume of the space data transmitted. Having on-demand access to a given LEO satellite makes its operations much safer and redundant. The successful implementation of SDG data service will result in acquiring hundreds of terabytes of space data per year from NanoSats. This will have positive impact on educational, science and commercial space missions’ outcome while also guaranteeing stable recurrent cashflow for the service. The initial commercialisation estimates are for up-to 50 new satellite customers per year. The service will also have strategic value to EU – enabling unique satellite data network solution for all European entities and ensuring that Europe will lead in LEO space missions on commercial and science-level. The solution will open the door for next generation of European innovators to access LEO space data faster and commercialize it directly in non-space industries. SDG service will enable NanoSats with diverse missions to connect and empower the first common satellite network in LEO.
Fields of science
- social scienceseconomics and businessbusiness and managementinnovation management
- engineering and technologymechanical engineeringvehicle engineeringaerospace engineeringsatellite technology
- engineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringinformation engineeringtelecommunicationstelecommunications networksdata networks
Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
IA - Innovation actionCoordinator
1404 Sofia
Bulgaria
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.