Nebula Public Library

The knowledge bank of ESA’s R&D programmes

On the Use of Mega-Constellation Services in Space

Programme
Discovery
Programme Reference
S 2020-03
Contractor
Vyoma
Start Date
End Date
Status
Closed
Country
Germany
On the Use of Mega-Constellation Services in Space
Description

This activity investigates how mega-constellations can be used to provide low-Earth orbit (LEO) spacecraft with broadband low-latency services, a novel Concept with potential to disrupt spacecraft design, operation, and performance by allowing spacecraft to access mega-constellations’ enormous resources (Tbit/s throughputs) and global coverage at a lower cost than traditional data relay systems and ground station networks (two to fifty times cheaper, that is, a few hundred to a few thousand dollars per month for a daily net capacity from hundredths of Gbit up to almost ten Tbit).

Technology Domain
12 - Ground Station Systems and Networks
6 - RF Subsystems, Payloads and Technologies
7 - Electromagnetic Technologies and Techniques
8 - System Design & Verification
Competence Domain
5-Radiofrequency & Optical Systems and Products
8-Ground Systems and Mission Operations
Keywords
Mega Constellations
Megaconstellations
Executive summary