Periodic Reporting for period 2 - SDG (Space Data Gateway)
Reporting period: 2020-10-01 to 2021-09-30
As satellite missions in low Earth orbit (LEO) are growing every year, there are still significant limitations on mission capabilities due to lack of constant communication. Currently, existing satellite solutions offer less than 5% connectivity to the Ground per mission, which leads to huge data opportunity loss. Access to space data is cost-inefficient and complex. Satellite operators have to manage and pay for the entire space value chain (mission analysis, satellite & payload integration, launch, mission operations and ground infrastructure, data services). Thus, the price of operating each NanoSat individually in many cases exceeds 1 to 3 million EUR per year in operational costs. Main challenges are:
• Lost data opportunity: Satellite missions in low Earth orbit (LEO) remain inefficient. With less than 5% average time of communication per mission, transferring data from space remains expensive and challenging.
• Lack of on-demand communication: Lack of instant link with LEO satellites is severely limiting LEO satellites missions’ positive impact and reactive capability (on-demand tracking, control & command, data transfer)
• Expensive ground infrastructure: Traditional satellite mission requires building and operating complex ground infrastructure (antennas, tracking stations, expensive radio equipment, maintenance, teleport rent) at an average cost of EUR 1M to 3M per mission. Renting of equipment remains alternative but equally expensive option for missions exceeding 3 years in orbit
• Everyone for himself in space: Lack of a common standard for in-space communication protocol and satellite comm. tech between NanoSats in LEO limit the positive impact and mission operations efficiency.
(Picture1)
Space Data Gateway (SDG) is an Intelligent NanoSat Communication service in Low Earth orbit, 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). It aims to solve two of the biggest challenges in LEO orbit space communication – need for constant connectivity with NanoSats in orbit and ever-increasing demand for more space data.
The main innovation is the capability for NanoSats to interconnect in LEO by using intersatellite communication modules and antennas and transmit up-to 50x more data per mission. The service enables 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 reduces the price of NanoSat missions by 65% on average and at the same time lowers the complexity of the satellite communications and increases the volume of the space data transmitted.
The project objectives were achieved by accomplishing the following activities:
• Engineering and validation of next generation inter-satellite communication modules and antennas which were then integrated into existing EnduroSat NanoSat platforms
• An Artificial intelligence software for autonomous in-space operations and data services was customized and developed by Aiko. The AI-software was embedded into the integrated NanoSat platform with inter-sat modules.
• Integration and initiation of cloud-based Mission Control application for NanoSat operations in orbit, delivered by Planetek. The service enables space customers to operate their NanoSats in orbit without paying for complex ground segment.
• Development and launch of SDG commercial services, including marketing plan, business plan and financial plan, supported by EUN. The SDG commercial service was initiated with existing consortium’ customers. SDG service is available for all current and future NanoSat customers of the consortium partners.
(Picture2)
• Lost data opportunity: Satellite missions in low Earth orbit (LEO) remain inefficient. With less than 5% average time of communication per mission, transferring data from space remains expensive and challenging.
• Lack of on-demand communication: Lack of instant link with LEO satellites is severely limiting LEO satellites missions’ positive impact and reactive capability (on-demand tracking, control & command, data transfer)
• Expensive ground infrastructure: Traditional satellite mission requires building and operating complex ground infrastructure (antennas, tracking stations, expensive radio equipment, maintenance, teleport rent) at an average cost of EUR 1M to 3M per mission. Renting of equipment remains alternative but equally expensive option for missions exceeding 3 years in orbit
• Everyone for himself in space: Lack of a common standard for in-space communication protocol and satellite comm. tech between NanoSats in LEO limit the positive impact and mission operations efficiency.
(Picture1)
Space Data Gateway (SDG) is an Intelligent NanoSat Communication service in Low Earth orbit, 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). It aims to solve two of the biggest challenges in LEO orbit space communication – need for constant connectivity with NanoSats in orbit and ever-increasing demand for more space data.
The main innovation is the capability for NanoSats to interconnect in LEO by using intersatellite communication modules and antennas and transmit up-to 50x more data per mission. The service enables 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 reduces the price of NanoSat missions by 65% on average and at the same time lowers the complexity of the satellite communications and increases the volume of the space data transmitted.
The project objectives were achieved by accomplishing the following activities:
• Engineering and validation of next generation inter-satellite communication modules and antennas which were then integrated into existing EnduroSat NanoSat platforms
• An Artificial intelligence software for autonomous in-space operations and data services was customized and developed by Aiko. The AI-software was embedded into the integrated NanoSat platform with inter-sat modules.
• Integration and initiation of cloud-based Mission Control application for NanoSat operations in orbit, delivered by Planetek. The service enables space customers to operate their NanoSats in orbit without paying for complex ground segment.
• Development and launch of SDG commercial services, including marketing plan, business plan and financial plan, supported by EUN. The SDG commercial service was initiated with existing consortium’ customers. SDG service is available for all current and future NanoSat customers of the consortium partners.
(Picture2)
In the second and final period, SDG project achieved all the set deliverables and milestones as defined and planned in the Description of Action (DoA), thereby finalizing successfully the project. The coordination and cooperation between all consortium members continued being of exemplary performance level and all planned activities were concluded on time and successfully.
The integration of the entire space data service on functional level was successfully tested. It includes verification of the NanoSat platforms with inter-sat communication modules, the AI-software for NanoSat autonomous mission operations and handling, Digital Mission Control and end-user interface.
Consequently, the entire SDG value chain from the NanoSat with the communication module to end-user interface and the successful data transmission and Mission operation activities was validated. The service was tested through the Digital Mission Control using three customer’s NanoSats with integrated SDG communication modules. All planned user cases were deployed on a live web application and our test users were able to see a live demonstration of the completed product. They rated their experience as very satisfying, and they provided valuable feedback. Furthermore, the future development of the SDG architecture was also reviewed in order to guarantee the consistent increase of performance efficiency of the service. The near and mid-term development of the service was planned on engineering, development and testing level.
The business plan was built upon the business models developed and validated during the first reporting period. The consortium identified and undertook different marketing and commercialisation activities that best fit the profile of the potential early adopters and customers of the SDG service.
The second half of the reported period coincided with the Covid breakout and major industry conferences were cancelled. Nevertheless, the SDG service was presented on multiple online events to thousands of space industry professionals and potential users, academia, in front of regional and national administrations and on international level, exceeding beyond expectation the projected targets. Among the major events were the Small Sat Conference and Symposium, 5th ESA CubeSat Industry Days, Southeast Europe Aviation Summit 2021 and many others.
(Picture3) and (Picture4)
The integration of the entire space data service on functional level was successfully tested. It includes verification of the NanoSat platforms with inter-sat communication modules, the AI-software for NanoSat autonomous mission operations and handling, Digital Mission Control and end-user interface.
Consequently, the entire SDG value chain from the NanoSat with the communication module to end-user interface and the successful data transmission and Mission operation activities was validated. The service was tested through the Digital Mission Control using three customer’s NanoSats with integrated SDG communication modules. All planned user cases were deployed on a live web application and our test users were able to see a live demonstration of the completed product. They rated their experience as very satisfying, and they provided valuable feedback. Furthermore, the future development of the SDG architecture was also reviewed in order to guarantee the consistent increase of performance efficiency of the service. The near and mid-term development of the service was planned on engineering, development and testing level.
The business plan was built upon the business models developed and validated during the first reporting period. The consortium identified and undertook different marketing and commercialisation activities that best fit the profile of the potential early adopters and customers of the SDG service.
The second half of the reported period coincided with the Covid breakout and major industry conferences were cancelled. Nevertheless, the SDG service was presented on multiple online events to thousands of space industry professionals and potential users, academia, in front of regional and national administrations and on international level, exceeding beyond expectation the projected targets. Among the major events were the Small Sat Conference and Symposium, 5th ESA CubeSat Industry Days, Southeast Europe Aviation Summit 2021 and many others.
(Picture3) and (Picture4)
SDG data service is expected to result in acquisition of hundreds of terabytes of space data per year from NanoSats. As a way forward, the SDG consortium partners took a strategic decision to further commercialise and promote the SDG as part of the newly launched Shared Satellite Service of EnduroSat, which scaled significant active customer base. The initial commercialisation estimates are for up-to 50 new satellite customers per year starting in 2022-2024 timeframe. This will drive innovation at the final frontier by providing easy access to space to visionary entrepreneurs, scientists, and technologists, while also guaranteeing stable recurrent cashflow for the service. 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 will have a strategic value for the EU. The solution will open the door for next generation of European innovators to access LEO space data faster and commercialise it directly in non-space industries. SDG service enables NanoSats with diverse missions to connect and empower the first common satellite network in LEO.
(Picture5)
(Picture5)