Research Facilities 6GStarLab Europe’s first open 6G research laboratory in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) Impact 6GStarLab in action News In the media Learn more at UNICO I+D 6G Know more 6GStarLab is an experimentation infrastructure promoted by i2CAT to validate new space communication technologies linked to Advanced 5G and future 6G. It offers a real platform, in orbit and on the ground, to test Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN) under representative operating conditions. The project combines a CubeSat satellite with radio-frequency payloads and optical terminals, positioning the ecosystem at the forefront of integrating terrestrial and space networks. Generating impact in society from space The 6GStarLab focuses on the research and development of non-terrestrial networks (NTN) and enables the experimental validation of new communication technologies in a real space environment, with disruptive applications that have a major impact on society. Better communications in rural and isolated areas Better access to essential services (telemedicine and distance learning) Prevention and mitigation of fires and natural disasters Boosting autonomous mobility by guaranteeing the connection of smart vehicles New generation of secure communications Featured Equipment 6U CubeSat satellite for in-orbit experimentation. Two Minerva SDR modules on board as radio payloads. Multi-band front-ends for experimentation in UHF/LoRa, S, X, and Ka. On-board laser terminal for optical communications experimentation. Terrestrial optical station for space-to-ground laser communication link and characterisation. Ka-band ground station to support high-frequency experiments. Key Technologies Validation of 6G technologies in NTN environments. Virtualisation and flexible deployment of network functions in space. Multi-band satellite and high-speed optical communications. Regenerative and reconfigurable payloads in orbit. Advanced protocols for high-latency environments (DTN). Use Cases Experimentation with new 6G protocols for NTN: 6GStarLab will allow testing of new 6G protocols and communication mechanisms designed for non-terrestrial networks. This includes techniques to improve the integration between satellites and terrestrial networks. The goal is to validate their operation in a real environment and not just in a laboratory. Virtualisation and flexible payloads in orbit: The mission will demonstrate the concept of a flexible, reconfigurable payload developed by i2CAT. This will allow the payload’s behaviour to be adapted to the needs of the experiment or the user. It is a key capability for future, more dynamic and programmable NTN infrastructures. Development of regenerative payloads: The laboratory will facilitate the validation of payloads capable of processing information on board, instead of being limited to retransmitting signals. This opens the door to smarter and more efficient satellites. It also allows for the study of new network architectures with greater autonomy in the space segment. Direct satellite-to-device communications: One planned use case is experimentation with direct connectivity between LEO satellites and user devices. This type of service can be key to extending coverage in remote areas or those without terrestrial infrastructure. Its validation is highly relevant for the future of global connectivity. DTN protocols for intermittent communication: The infrastructure will enable validation of Delay/Disruption Tolerant Networking (DTN) protocols, designed for environments with frequent interruptions and delays. These technologies are particularly useful in space networks. Their experimentation will help improve resilience and service continuity. Validation of NB-IoT technologies over NTN: 6GStarLab will test NB-IoT solutions adapted to non-terrestrial environments. This includes experimentation with network functions, on-board elements, and access procedures. The goal is to facilitate future satellite IoT services interoperable with telecommunication standards. High-speed optical communications: The presence of an on-board laser terminal will enable testing of space-to-ground optical links. These communications offer high transmission capacity and are a strategic technology for future satellite missions. They will also allow for the characterisation of the link’s behaviour under different atmospheric and operational conditions. 6GStarLab in action Discover the mission shaping the future of 6G Official announcement of the 6GStarLab mission This is the 6GStarLab satellite: Europe's first 6G laboratory in low Earth orbit, i2CAT 6GStarLab is now in orbit! The first European open research laboratory for 6G and NTN Mission badge for i2CAT’s in-orbit lab 6GStarLab Explore the components of the 6GStarLab 6GStarlab Latest news Press release December 2, 2025 Catalonia launches Europe’s first 6G research satellite into low Earth orbit Read more Press release July 26, 2025 Catalonia to launch Europe’s first 6G low orbit satellite laboratory by the end of the year Read more March 6, 2025 i2CAT will create Europe’s first low-orbit 6G open research laboratory Read more More news 6GStarLab In the media Europa Press El i2CAT presentará en el MWC el “primer satélite” europeo de investigación 6G en órbita baja Read more RNE Entrevista a Joan Francesc Muñoz, director de Space Comms Read more El País Cataluña entra en la era del 6G con el lanzamiento del primer satélite europeo Read more TV3 Llançament del 6GStarLab Read more Funded by the Ministry for Digital Transformation and Public Service and the European Union-NextGenerationEU within the framework of the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan of the Government of Spain.
