Harwell based Celestia
Technologies Group UK Ltd (CTG UK) has signed an
€8m contract with the European Space Agency
(ESA) for the development of the next generation
of Gateway ground stations. The three-year
programme will create a fully electronic
scanning (eScan) ground station, capable of
tracking and communicating simultaneously with
multi satellites. Initial development activity
will be focussed on developing a product to
provide Control and Gateway services for the new
wave of mega satellite constellations in
Ka-Band.The aim is to use
eScan antennas instead of multiple mechanically
steered dishes, so delivering benefits in space
and maintenance costs.
Domenico Mignolo, Head of
the ESA Ground Segment Technologies & Products
Section says, “ESA is delighted to support the
development of this challenging gateway station
under the ARTES CC programme.
“José Alonso, Chairman of
the Celestia Technologies Group says, “This
major project is a component of our wider UK
investment and growth plans designed to address
the technical challenges of providing extremely
capable ground-based architecture to maximise
the space-based investment.
“With the backing of our
successful and innovative European Group
companies, and the supportive UK space
environment, we see eScan as an exciting
catalyst that will establish deep roots in the
UK,” he says.
With the trend for earth
observation operators to fly increasing numbers
of smaller satellites in their fleets, and
connectivity focused satellite operators
launching satellite constellations in their
hundreds, the control (TTC) and the gateway
functionality of the ground-based stations has
become increasingly critical.
The commercial
opportunities created by this development
activity are wide-ranging. The eScan gateway
concept is applicable to any frequency band and
is capable of efficiently and cost effectively
providing Gateway and satellite TTC services.
The contract has been part
funded by the UK Space Agency.
Dr. Craig Brown, Innovation
Lead for Space at Innovate UK and the UK’s
Delegate to the ESA ARTES programme says, “CTG
UK, with their eScan project, represents an
excellent contribution to the UK’s strategy of
supporting innovative and disruptive satellite
ground segment technologies, improving access to
space for new markets and applications. I’m very
pleased to support the growth of this exciting
company in the UK via the ESA ARTES programme.
’Mike Rudd, Head of
Telecommunications Strategy at the UK Space
Agency, adds, “This project underlines the UK’s
support to innovation in the revolution of space
services and capabilities. The UK Space Agency
is committed to helping make space more
affordable and will continue the drive to make
space a key component of the UK’s future
communications infrastructure.Through the government’s modern
Industrial Strategy, we are encouraging
high-tech British businesses to pursue
commercial opportunities to ensure the UK
thrives in the commercial space age.
”The eScan development is
set to create an initial 20 new jobs. The €8m
ESA contract is part of a total €19m project.