Europe advances towards next-generation secure space connectivity for security and emergency services

• The European Space Agency (ESA) selects the SELENE project, led by Indra Space with key technical contributions from i2CAT, to consolidate technologies for the EU’s IRIS² low-orbit satellite constellation.
• The research project aims to demonstrate the feasibility of a space infrastructure based on 5G Non-Terrestrial Networks (5G NTN) to enable direct communication to governmental user terminals.

The European Space Agency (ESA) has selected the SELENE project, led by Indra Space, to enter the consolidation phase of its IRIS² Low LEO initiative. The agreement is part of a total €20 million allocation for 18 Low-LEO contracts, and marks the start of a four-month competitive phase to mature cutting-edge technologies for Europe’s secure satellite connectivity constellation.

The SELENE project seeks to demonstrate the feasibility of a comprehensive space infrastructure based on 5G NTN technology. This capability will allow direct-to-device communications for government users without requiring complex ground infrastructure. The industrial consortium—comprising Celeste, Druid Software, Aerospacelab, Thales Alenia Space España, Sener Aeroespacial, Stellar Project, Hisdesat, and the i2CAT Research and Innovation Centre—combines expertise in 5G architectures, satellite platforms, advanced antennas, optical inter-satellite links, and system operations.

i2CAT’s role: bringing mobile communications to space

Within the consortium of SELENE, i2CAT plays a key role in bringing terrestrial mobile communications to space.

i2CAT will help define the architecture and design of a communication system based both on the ground and in space, allowing mobile terminals to connect directly to low-Earth orbit satellites (Direct-to-Device or D2D). i2CAT will also define the verification strategy, cost and schedule estimates, and technical roadmap to ensure these space-based 5G services can be validated safely and reliably before deployment in-orbit.

The centre brings to the consortium its in-depth knowledge in designing, integrating and deploying standard terrestrial 5G protocols (3GPP) into space systems, as demonstrated by i2CAT’s successful advanced communications experimental mission, 6GStarLab.

On-orbit validation and strategic sovereignty

During this initial four-month risk-reduction phase, ESA will oversee technological activities before selecting projects for full in-orbit validation during 2027–2029, targeting demonstration missions around the end of the decade.

By maturing these capabilities, the SELENE project directly supports Europe’s strategic autonomy and technological sovereignty, strengthening the continent’s ability to protect critical communications and respond rapidly to global challenges within the IRIS² framework.