ESA Connectivity and Secure Communications
@esaconnectivity.esa.int
Advancing space-based connectivity – bringing broadband to rural areas, supporting crisis response, enhancing cybersecurity, and connecting everyone, everywhere, at all times. Part of the European Space Agency @esa.int family.
How do we get those stunning views from the ISS back to Earth?🌍🌌
Thanks to ColKa, partially, the Columbus Ka-band antenna installed five years ago outside @esa.int's Columbus laboratory.
🛰️The data is first sent to the EDRS-A satellite before it goes back to Europe, via a ground station in the UK.
Thanks to ColKa, partially, the Columbus Ka-band antenna installed five years ago outside @esa.int's Columbus laboratory.
🛰️The data is first sent to the EDRS-A satellite before it goes back to Europe, via a ground station in the UK.
February 4, 2026 at 7:35 PM
How do we get those stunning views from the ISS back to Earth?🌍🌌
Thanks to ColKa, partially, the Columbus Ka-band antenna installed five years ago outside @esa.int's Columbus laboratory.
🛰️The data is first sent to the EDRS-A satellite before it goes back to Europe, via a ground station in the UK.
Thanks to ColKa, partially, the Columbus Ka-band antenna installed five years ago outside @esa.int's Columbus laboratory.
🛰️The data is first sent to the EDRS-A satellite before it goes back to Europe, via a ground station in the UK.
Over 60 years ago, sci-fi writer Arthur C Clarke predicted that a medical specialist could treat someone from the distance, using satellites 🛰️
Today, this has become a reality. A dentist in the UK ran a remote dental examination to a simulated patient in Scotland, using 5G and satellite networks 🌐🦷
Today, this has become a reality. A dentist in the UK ran a remote dental examination to a simulated patient in Scotland, using 5G and satellite networks 🌐🦷
January 30, 2026 at 8:56 AM
Over 60 years ago, sci-fi writer Arthur C Clarke predicted that a medical specialist could treat someone from the distance, using satellites 🛰️
Today, this has become a reality. A dentist in the UK ran a remote dental examination to a simulated patient in Scotland, using 5G and satellite networks 🌐🦷
Today, this has become a reality. A dentist in the UK ran a remote dental examination to a simulated patient in Scotland, using 5G and satellite networks 🌐🦷
Happy 10th birthday to EDRS-A🥳
Launched #OTD in 2016, our first laser relay node proved Europe can move data at incredible speed from space.
Now, @esa.int's HydRON is taking us to the next era: a fully optical satcom network connecting satellites across orbits, for secure and fast communications⚡🔏
Launched #OTD in 2016, our first laser relay node proved Europe can move data at incredible speed from space.
Now, @esa.int's HydRON is taking us to the next era: a fully optical satcom network connecting satellites across orbits, for secure and fast communications⚡🔏
January 29, 2026 at 9:01 AM
Lastly, he travelled to Estonia, one of Europe’s major hubs in cybersecurity.
He met with Spaceit, Artec Design, Golbriak and Levira, key players in satellite operations, cybersecurity, connectivity and optical communications.
He met with Spaceit, Artec Design, Golbriak and Levira, key players in satellite operations, cybersecurity, connectivity and optical communications.
January 27, 2026 at 7:42 PM
Lastly, he travelled to Estonia, one of Europe’s major hubs in cybersecurity.
He met with Spaceit, Artec Design, Golbriak and Levira, key players in satellite operations, cybersecurity, connectivity and optical communications.
He met with Spaceit, Artec Design, Golbriak and Levira, key players in satellite operations, cybersecurity, connectivity and optical communications.
In Lithuania, Laurent visited the establishments of Astrolight, Novian PRO and Kongsberg NanoAvionics.
With advances in laser communication and the development of cost-effective, resilient small satellites, Lithuania is establishing itself as a rapidly growing centre for space innovation.
With advances in laser communication and the development of cost-effective, resilient small satellites, Lithuania is establishing itself as a rapidly growing centre for space innovation.
January 27, 2026 at 7:42 PM
In Lithuania, Laurent visited the establishments of Astrolight, Novian PRO and Kongsberg NanoAvionics.
With advances in laser communication and the development of cost-effective, resilient small satellites, Lithuania is establishing itself as a rapidly growing centre for space innovation.
With advances in laser communication and the development of cost-effective, resilient small satellites, Lithuania is establishing itself as a rapidly growing centre for space innovation.
In Latvia, Laurent met with the Ministry of Education and Science to discuss how stepping up our cooperation is crucial to enhancing capabilities in secure connectivity.
As an Associate ESA Member State, Latvia is a hotbed for innovations in the space sector.
As an Associate ESA Member State, Latvia is a hotbed for innovations in the space sector.
January 27, 2026 at 7:42 PM
In Latvia, Laurent met with the Ministry of Education and Science to discuss how stepping up our cooperation is crucial to enhancing capabilities in secure connectivity.
As an Associate ESA Member State, Latvia is a hotbed for innovations in the space sector.
As an Associate ESA Member State, Latvia is a hotbed for innovations in the space sector.
In Finland, Laurent visited ICEYE and spoke at the Winter Satellite Workshop.
ICEYE is committed to providing accurate, almost real-time insights from Earths orbit, delivering data when most needed.
At the Workshop, Laurent highlighted the Nordics’ vital role in advancing global connectivity.
ICEYE is committed to providing accurate, almost real-time insights from Earths orbit, delivering data when most needed.
At the Workshop, Laurent highlighted the Nordics’ vital role in advancing global connectivity.
January 27, 2026 at 7:42 PM
In Finland, Laurent visited ICEYE and spoke at the Winter Satellite Workshop.
ICEYE is committed to providing accurate, almost real-time insights from Earths orbit, delivering data when most needed.
At the Workshop, Laurent highlighted the Nordics’ vital role in advancing global connectivity.
ICEYE is committed to providing accurate, almost real-time insights from Earths orbit, delivering data when most needed.
At the Workshop, Laurent highlighted the Nordics’ vital role in advancing global connectivity.
ESA Connectivity and Secure Communications director, Laurent Jaffart, toured the Baltic countries 🇫🇮 🇱🇻 🇱🇹 🇪🇪 to meet industry partners and engage with key stakeholders.
He discussed each nation's role and future opportunities in rapid, secure connectivity programmes such as IRIS2 and HydRON.
He discussed each nation's role and future opportunities in rapid, secure connectivity programmes such as IRIS2 and HydRON.
January 27, 2026 at 7:42 PM
ESA Connectivity and Secure Communications director, Laurent Jaffart, toured the Baltic countries 🇫🇮 🇱🇻 🇱🇹 🇪🇪 to meet industry partners and engage with key stakeholders.
He discussed each nation's role and future opportunities in rapid, secure connectivity programmes such as IRIS2 and HydRON.
He discussed each nation's role and future opportunities in rapid, secure connectivity programmes such as IRIS2 and HydRON.
Did you know...?🌐We have a new website!
It will be easier for you to stay up to date, know how to benefit from funding opportunities for satellite communications' projects and learn about career opportunities.
If you are not convinced yet...👇
connectivity.esa.int
It will be easier for you to stay up to date, know how to benefit from funding opportunities for satellite communications' projects and learn about career opportunities.
If you are not convinced yet...👇
connectivity.esa.int
January 21, 2026 at 7:50 PM
Did you know...?🌐We have a new website!
It will be easier for you to stay up to date, know how to benefit from funding opportunities for satellite communications' projects and learn about career opportunities.
If you are not convinced yet...👇
connectivity.esa.int
It will be easier for you to stay up to date, know how to benefit from funding opportunities for satellite communications' projects and learn about career opportunities.
If you are not convinced yet...👇
connectivity.esa.int
Smaller and cheaper satellites faster?
ESA is proud to support SWISSto12 on their industrial scale-up to achieve exactly that!
🐦HummingSat, our jointly developed platform is more cost-efficient than traditional geostationary satellites, and is set to launch in 2027.
swissto12.com/e73-million-...
ESA is proud to support SWISSto12 on their industrial scale-up to achieve exactly that!
🐦HummingSat, our jointly developed platform is more cost-efficient than traditional geostationary satellites, and is set to launch in 2027.
swissto12.com/e73-million-...
January 21, 2026 at 2:02 PM
Smaller and cheaper satellites faster?
ESA is proud to support SWISSto12 on their industrial scale-up to achieve exactly that!
🐦HummingSat, our jointly developed platform is more cost-efficient than traditional geostationary satellites, and is set to launch in 2027.
swissto12.com/e73-million-...
ESA is proud to support SWISSto12 on their industrial scale-up to achieve exactly that!
🐦HummingSat, our jointly developed platform is more cost-efficient than traditional geostationary satellites, and is set to launch in 2027.
swissto12.com/e73-million-...
✈️ Experience safer, more efficient flights with ESA-backed Iris technology!
This satellite-based system links pilots and air traffic controllers digitally. 🌐
Watch Boeing's 'testing by the numbers' video for the 2025 demonstration:
www.linkedin.com/posts/boeing...
This satellite-based system links pilots and air traffic controllers digitally. 🌐
Watch Boeing's 'testing by the numbers' video for the 2025 demonstration:
www.linkedin.com/posts/boeing...
January 19, 2026 at 5:51 PM
✈️ Experience safer, more efficient flights with ESA-backed Iris technology!
This satellite-based system links pilots and air traffic controllers digitally. 🌐
Watch Boeing's 'testing by the numbers' video for the 2025 demonstration:
www.linkedin.com/posts/boeing...
This satellite-based system links pilots and air traffic controllers digitally. 🌐
Watch Boeing's 'testing by the numbers' video for the 2025 demonstration:
www.linkedin.com/posts/boeing...
Without clean radio frequency spectrum, your phone🤳 , GPS 🧭 , TV 📺 , and satellite connectivity could get messy.
@esa.int ’s CleanWaves aims to protect this invisible infrastructure of modern life. 📶🛡️
www.esa.int/Applications...
@esa.int ’s CleanWaves aims to protect this invisible infrastructure of modern life. 📶🛡️
www.esa.int/Applications...
January 14, 2026 at 7:50 PM
Without clean radio frequency spectrum, your phone🤳 , GPS 🧭 , TV 📺 , and satellite connectivity could get messy.
@esa.int ’s CleanWaves aims to protect this invisible infrastructure of modern life. 📶🛡️
www.esa.int/Applications...
@esa.int ’s CleanWaves aims to protect this invisible infrastructure of modern life. 📶🛡️
www.esa.int/Applications...
The groundwork for HydRON, our optical communications network, is underway! ⚡
Congratulations to Kepler Communications on their successful launch of ten optical satellites, beginning an optical data relay network that will provide resilient and real-time connectivity 🌐
Congratulations to Kepler Communications on their successful launch of ten optical satellites, beginning an optical data relay network that will provide resilient and real-time connectivity 🌐
January 12, 2026 at 6:51 PM
The groundwork for HydRON, our optical communications network, is underway! ⚡
Congratulations to Kepler Communications on their successful launch of ten optical satellites, beginning an optical data relay network that will provide resilient and real-time connectivity 🌐
Congratulations to Kepler Communications on their successful launch of ten optical satellites, beginning an optical data relay network that will provide resilient and real-time connectivity 🌐
Second half of 2025 was busy for air traffic management Iris technology✈️
ITA confirmed it will integrate the system in some of their aircrafts👇
www.esa.int/Applications...
Boeing tested the system, including a transatlantic flight👇
www.esa.int/Applications...
🧠 Smarter flights, thanks to Iris
ITA confirmed it will integrate the system in some of their aircrafts👇
www.esa.int/Applications...
Boeing tested the system, including a transatlantic flight👇
www.esa.int/Applications...
🧠 Smarter flights, thanks to Iris
December 31, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Second half of 2025 was busy for air traffic management Iris technology✈️
ITA confirmed it will integrate the system in some of their aircrafts👇
www.esa.int/Applications...
Boeing tested the system, including a transatlantic flight👇
www.esa.int/Applications...
🧠 Smarter flights, thanks to Iris
ITA confirmed it will integrate the system in some of their aircrafts👇
www.esa.int/Applications...
Boeing tested the system, including a transatlantic flight👇
www.esa.int/Applications...
🧠 Smarter flights, thanks to Iris
At the end of this year, we look back on the launch of Europe’s most advanced governmental communications system 🛰️
January 👉SpainSat NG I
October 👉SpainSat NG II
ESA-supported innovative antennas were featured in the two satellites.
www.esa.int/Applications...
January 👉SpainSat NG I
October 👉SpainSat NG II
ESA-supported innovative antennas were featured in the two satellites.
www.esa.int/Applications...
December 29, 2025 at 5:51 PM
At the end of this year, we look back on the launch of Europe’s most advanced governmental communications system 🛰️
January 👉SpainSat NG I
October 👉SpainSat NG II
ESA-supported innovative antennas were featured in the two satellites.
www.esa.int/Applications...
January 👉SpainSat NG I
October 👉SpainSat NG II
ESA-supported innovative antennas were featured in the two satellites.
www.esa.int/Applications...
🎄This Christmas, satellites do more than enable communication…
...they keep people connected🌐
From the most remote places on Earth, space bridges distance so families can share moments that matter. Because connection shouldn’t depend on distance.
Merry Christmas from our team❄️
...they keep people connected🌐
From the most remote places on Earth, space bridges distance so families can share moments that matter. Because connection shouldn’t depend on distance.
Merry Christmas from our team❄️
December 24, 2025 at 11:01 AM
🎄This Christmas, satellites do more than enable communication…
...they keep people connected🌐
From the most remote places on Earth, space bridges distance so families can share moments that matter. Because connection shouldn’t depend on distance.
Merry Christmas from our team❄️
...they keep people connected🌐
From the most remote places on Earth, space bridges distance so families can share moments that matter. Because connection shouldn’t depend on distance.
Merry Christmas from our team❄️
🌍Europe’s secure communications could be enhanced by Eagle-1, set to become the first European space-based quantum key distribution system.
The project recently completed its critical design review.
For a more secure, autonomous and resilient Europe 🔒
www.esa.int/Applications...
The project recently completed its critical design review.
For a more secure, autonomous and resilient Europe 🔒
www.esa.int/Applications...
December 22, 2025 at 5:51 PM
🌍Europe’s secure communications could be enhanced by Eagle-1, set to become the first European space-based quantum key distribution system.
The project recently completed its critical design review.
For a more secure, autonomous and resilient Europe 🔒
www.esa.int/Applications...
The project recently completed its critical design review.
For a more secure, autonomous and resilient Europe 🔒
www.esa.int/Applications...
Featuring two thermal vacuum chambers (TVAC) and a vibration system (shaker), the Hellenic Assembly, Integration and Testing Facility (HAITF) in Greece will be ready for satellite testing in 2026! 🛰️
connectivity.esa.int/archives/new...
connectivity.esa.int/archives/new...
December 22, 2025 at 9:38 AM
Featuring two thermal vacuum chambers (TVAC) and a vibration system (shaker), the Hellenic Assembly, Integration and Testing Facility (HAITF) in Greece will be ready for satellite testing in 2026! 🛰️
connectivity.esa.int/archives/new...
connectivity.esa.int/archives/new...
📻 Radio frequencies: the scarce resource in space
ESA launched CleanWaves 🌊 to anticipate future needs of this resource and monitor its current use.
CleanWaves aims to strengthen European industrial capabilities and reduce reliance on non-European technologies.
www.esa.int/Applications...
ESA launched CleanWaves 🌊 to anticipate future needs of this resource and monitor its current use.
CleanWaves aims to strengthen European industrial capabilities and reduce reliance on non-European technologies.
www.esa.int/Applications...
December 18, 2025 at 10:55 AM
📻 Radio frequencies: the scarce resource in space
ESA launched CleanWaves 🌊 to anticipate future needs of this resource and monitor its current use.
CleanWaves aims to strengthen European industrial capabilities and reduce reliance on non-European technologies.
www.esa.int/Applications...
ESA launched CleanWaves 🌊 to anticipate future needs of this resource and monitor its current use.
CleanWaves aims to strengthen European industrial capabilities and reduce reliance on non-European technologies.
www.esa.int/Applications...
Antennex’s new ESA-supported project will build a chamber that will help test real-world conditions for satellites 🛰️
It will map how antennas radiate signals in space and cover more frequency bands than traditional reverberation chambers 〰️
www.linkedin.com/posts/esa-co...
It will map how antennas radiate signals in space and cover more frequency bands than traditional reverberation chambers 〰️
www.linkedin.com/posts/esa-co...
December 16, 2025 at 2:10 PM
Antennex’s new ESA-supported project will build a chamber that will help test real-world conditions for satellites 🛰️
It will map how antennas radiate signals in space and cover more frequency bands than traditional reverberation chambers 〰️
www.linkedin.com/posts/esa-co...
It will map how antennas radiate signals in space and cover more frequency bands than traditional reverberation chambers 〰️
www.linkedin.com/posts/esa-co...
IRIS² is moving forward ➡️
Last week, our Director Laurent Jaffart, @esa.int representatives, the European Commission and the SpaceRISE consortium met at @thalesaleniaspace.bsky.social headquarters in Toulouse to define the next steps for #Europe ’s secure connectivity constellation.
Last week, our Director Laurent Jaffart, @esa.int representatives, the European Commission and the SpaceRISE consortium met at @thalesaleniaspace.bsky.social headquarters in Toulouse to define the next steps for #Europe ’s secure connectivity constellation.
December 15, 2025 at 4:51 PM
IRIS² is moving forward ➡️
Last week, our Director Laurent Jaffart, @esa.int representatives, the European Commission and the SpaceRISE consortium met at @thalesaleniaspace.bsky.social headquarters in Toulouse to define the next steps for #Europe ’s secure connectivity constellation.
Last week, our Director Laurent Jaffart, @esa.int representatives, the European Commission and the SpaceRISE consortium met at @thalesaleniaspace.bsky.social headquarters in Toulouse to define the next steps for #Europe ’s secure connectivity constellation.
What can cut CO2 emissions 🌿and reduce flight delays✈️?
More efficient flying routes, enabled by @esa.int ’s partnership with Boeing’s ecoDemonstrator on test flights using space-based digital communications.
www.esa.int/Applications...
More efficient flying routes, enabled by @esa.int ’s partnership with Boeing’s ecoDemonstrator on test flights using space-based digital communications.
www.esa.int/Applications...
December 11, 2025 at 12:16 PM
What can cut CO2 emissions 🌿and reduce flight delays✈️?
More efficient flying routes, enabled by @esa.int ’s partnership with Boeing’s ecoDemonstrator on test flights using space-based digital communications.
www.esa.int/Applications...
More efficient flying routes, enabled by @esa.int ’s partnership with Boeing’s ecoDemonstrator on test flights using space-based digital communications.
www.esa.int/Applications...