AccelerComm awarded ESA regenerative 5G satellite network contract

AccelerComm has confirmed its participation in a new European Space Agency (ESA)-funded programme focused on advancing regenerative 5G satellite architectures for Low Earth Orbit (LEO) constellations.

The new initiative is part of the Space for 5G/6G & Sustainable Connectivity programme, within ESA’s ARTES (Advanced Research in Telecommunications Systems) programme, which aims to fund and develop innovative satellite technologies that benefit society as a whole.

Photo: Accelercomm / © chevaan.seresinhe

How full 5G base station functionality can be deployed directly onboard satellites

Together with Antwerp Space, AccelerComm will explore how full 5G base station functionality can be deployed directly onboard satellites, moving beyond traditional ‘bent-pipe’ architectures that simply relay signals between users and ground infrastructure. The initiative aims to deliver a regenerative 5G NTN ‘gNodeB’ demonstrator operating at Technology Readiness Level 5 (TRL 5), capable of supporting multiple simultaneous users under realistic satellite channel conditions.

AccelerComm will contribute its highly optimised physical layer (PHY) technology to the activity ‘Processor Technology for Direct Satellite-to-Device, 5G/6G Communications’, providing the Layer 1 processing capabilities required to enable power-efficient, standards-aligned 5G connectivity in space-based environments.

Photo: Accelercomm / © chevaan.seresinhe

David Helfgott, CEO of AccelerCommm said: “Regenerative NTN represents one of the most important architectural transitions currently underway in satellite communications. Instead of satellites acting purely as transparent relays, the industry is moving towards networks that can process, manage and optimise connectivity directly in orbit. That creates major advantages in efficiency, flexibility, latency and scalability but it also introduces significant technical challenges at the physical layer. ESA’s support for this regenerative satellite demonstrator reflects the growing momentum behind intelligent, fully integrated, standards-based 5G NTN networks.”

Supporting the drive towards interoperable satellite and terrestrial 5G infrastructure

The demonstration will incorporate advanced features including dynamic user behaviour, beam hopping and intelligent power allocation strategies designed to optimise transmission performance across LEO satellite networks. The project is also expected to align with some of the latest 3GPP NTN specifications, supporting the broader industry push toward interoperable satellite and terrestrial 5G infrastructure.

The ESA contract also follows a period of significant momentum for AccelerComm more broadly. In April 2026, the company announced the grant of its 56th international patent, strengthening one of the industry’s most specialised IP portfolios in 5G channel coding and physical layer acceleration technologies for terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks. AccelerComm’s technology is already deployed across more than 300 commercial satellites and integrated into next-generation silicon platforms supporting advanced 5G connectivity.

Rodrigo Moraes, Technology Lead and Systems Engineer at Antwerp Space, said: “This award is an important step for the wider European NTN ecosystem. ESA is helping accelerate the transition toward regenerative 5G satellite networks that are fully aligned with the future direction of global telecommunications standards. AccelerComm’s expertise in highly efficient physical layer processing makes them a key partner in helping deliver that vision.”

The companies believe the programme could help open the door to future commercial deployments and additional European initiatives involving regenerative NTN, including next-generation sovereign connectivity and defence-related programmes.