ESA awards Filtronic contract for space communication system development

Filtronic plc, a designer and manufacturer of products and subsystems for various markets including aerospace, defence, telecoms infrastructure and space, has announced a new contract to develop advanced space payload communication systems for the European Space Agency (ESA).

Valued at €3.7m (£3.2m), the contract falls under ESA’s Advanced Research and Telecommunications Systems (“ARTES”) programme for “Space Deployment of 5G/6G and Sustainable Connectivity”.

As part of the contract, Filtronic will work on creating a series of advanced mmWave products aimed at enhancing broadband connectivity from low earth orbit (LEO) satellites to receiving ground stations. The project, which is included in the business forecast for FY2024, will commence immediately with the development of design concepts and prototypes. The final hardware deliverable is expected by 31 March 2025.

Filtronic will leverage its existing core IP and established proficiency in designing and qualifying mmWave telecommunication technology for this programme. This includes their recent progress in developing advanced solid state power amplifiers (SSPAs) for the first LEO E-band ground station trials. The ARTES programme, fully backed by the UK Space Agency, aligns with the UK Government’s objective of encouraging UK suppliers to contribute significantly to the future of global telecommunication infrastructure.

With satellite operators gradually moving to Ka, Q/V and W-band frequencies to cater to the ultra-high bandwidth data links needed for LEO space communications, Filtronic is strategically positioned to adapt existing telecommunications technology to meet this demand.

Filtronic’s CEO, Richard Gibbs, remarked: “We are delighted to work with ESA on this important development at the leading edge of LEO space communications. The LEO space market is developing fast and the need for higher bandwidth links between satellites and the ground station is inevitable. Working with ESA to develop products at multiple frequencies, that can be supplied as part of next generation LEO constellations, is both timely and strategically important for Filtronic”.