ESA selects Keysight to develop 5G NTN anomaly detection

Wokingham-based Keysight Technologies has been selected by the European Space Agency (ESA) to lead a three-year development programme focused on creating secure, blockchain-enabled anomaly detection for 5G non-terrestrial networks (NTN).

Keysight will serve as the prime contractor, collaborating with Sateliot to support key technical development and satellite mission integration.

As more satellite communication constellations are deployed, space-based networks are becoming increasingly more complex, with growing interactions between satellites, ground systems and terrestrial 5G infrastructure. This introduces new challenges related to quality of service, anomaly management, operational security and confidence in network behaviour once deployed.

Looking ahead to 6G, where non-terrestrial infrastructure will play a central role, ensuring access to trusted, verifiable data will be critical to enabling autonomous and artificial intelligence (AI)-driven network operations.

Trusted NTN environments

The project, which benefits from the support of ESA’s Space for 5G/6G & Sustainable Connectivity programme line within the Agency’s Advanced Research in Telecommunications Systems (ARTES), is designed to address these challenges by establishing a secure, verifiable trust framework for NTN environments.

Keysight will leverage its design, test and measurement expertise to explore how blockchain, AI, machine learning (ML) and digital calibration certificates can be applied across the full NTN lifecycle, from satellite manufacturing and calibration to in-orbit operation and service delivery.

Eric Taylor, Vice President, Aerospace, Defense and Government Solutions at Keysight, said: “This initiative represents a major step toward securing hybrid space–terrestrial networks at a time when global NTN deployments are accelerating. By combining test and measurement expertise with AI-driven assurance and blockchain technologies, this work will demonstrate how trust can be embedded across the full NTN lifecycle, from design and validation through in-orbit operation.”

Thierry Locquette, Vice President of Sales, Europe at Keysight, added: “Europe is at the forefront of space-based connectivity and secure telecommunications. This project underscores Keysight’s long-standing commitment to European sovereignty and innovation leadership. With our strong local footprint and global expertise, we are pleased to help accelerate technologies that will play a critical role in Europe’s future NTN and space communications infrastructure.”

Albert Pujol, Chief Innovation Officer at Sateliot, said: “This programme represents a definitive shift toward integrating space-based assets into a secure, unified 5G ecosystem. By anchoring blockchain within our orbital operations, we are creating a transparent validation layer that allows massive IoT networks to scale globally while consistently ensuring security and performance.”

Antonio Franchi, Head of the Space for 5G/6G & Sustainable Connectivity programme at ESA, said: “The future of Europe’s connectivity depends on networks that are not only advanced but trusted, resilient and secure. Supporting this project, which benefits from Keysight’s leadership and Sateliot’s expertise, underscores ESA’s commitment to helping pioneer the technologies required to safeguard the integration of non-terrestrial and terrestrial networks.

“Together, we’re not only taking a step towards defending Europe’s communications against spoofing and tampering but we’re also ensuring that our Member States remain at the forefront of secure 5G and future 6G communications.”

By integrating these technologies, the programme aims to enhance the integrity and reliability of space-based IoT, 5G and future 6G communications, helping to protect networks from spoofing, tampering and other cyber threats.

Over the course of the programme, development will progress from laboratory research and prototyping to a full in-orbit demonstration, validating how blockchain-anchored trust, autonomous anomaly detection and secure telemetry can be applied in operational satellite environments.

The ESA‑funded programme is expected to inform future NTN operations, strengthen Europe’s position in secure satellite connectivity and accelerate the adoption of trusted space‑based 5G/6G networks worldwide.