A forward-looking agreement to test a European-designed and developed 5G mmWave telecommunications infrastructure in low Earth orbit, paving the way for hybrid, universal, and autonomous connectivity.
From left to right: Charles Delfieux (CEO, CTO), Antonio Franchi (Head of 5G/6G NTN Programme Office, ESA), Patrice Sidot (Head of Commercial Partnerships, CTO), – ESA HQ, Paris, May 2025.
Credit: © ESA / Constellation Technologies & Operations
Constellation Technologies & Operations (CTO), a future provider of space-based connectivity services, has signed a memorandum of intent with the European Space Agency (ESA) to conduct joint experiments in Low Earth Orbit (LEO). These tests will focus on the “Early Test”—the first regenerative payload operating in the 5G mmWave band, onboard a satellite scheduled for launch in June 2025.
This agreement reflects a shared ambition to strengthen Europe’s role in space innovation and competitiveness. At a time when satellite connectivity is largely dominated by American and Chinese giants, CTO champions a bold, “Made in Europe” alternative: a shared, neutral, and independently operated space infrastructure that empowers telecom operators to deliver high-speed, low-latency internet from space, in complement to terrestrial networks.
A pioneering experiment to enable European space-based 5G connectivity
At the core of this collaboration is a real-world trial from LEO using a regenerative 5G payload leveraging telecom operators’ 5G FR2 (mmWave) spectrum. Designed as the technological pathfinder of CTO’s future constellation, the test aims to validate the interoperability of space and terrestrial networks, enabling high-speed, low-latency, cost-effective, and sustainable hybrid connectivity.
ESA, a key supporter of the development of 3GPP-compliant Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN), sees this initiative as a driver for European innovation and autonomy. The combination of a regenerative payload developed in France and ESA’s experimental capabilities at ECSAT (Oxfordshire, UK) marks a major step forward in the race for European technological sovereignty.
As part of this structured cooperation, CTO and ESA will:
- Jointly conduct in-orbit test campaigns for 5G NTN mmWave technologies;
- Share expertise, resources, and infrastructure to maximize the scientific and operational impact of the trials.
By aligning their respective strengths, CTO and ESA are laying the groundwork for a, sustainable European hybrid connectivity ecosystem—potentially offering a counterweight to the hegemony of some commercial constellations.
A bold vision born in Europe—to serve the world
CTO’s project is not just a technological evolution—it is potentially a strategic transformation of the telecommunications sector. As a future global provider of internet services from space, this European company would offer telecom operators around the world a compelling alternative: a Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO) constellation that leverages their own 5G mmWave spectrum to deliver high-speed, low-latency connectivity—even in remote, rural, or crisis-stricken areas.
This shared infrastructure model enables competitively priced coverage that complements existing fiber or cellular networks—without requiring massive capital investments. It opens a new chapter in telecommunications: a controlled convergence of space and terrestrial networks, combining industrial ambition with digital inclusion.
Charles Delfieux, CEO and founder of CTO, stated “This alliance with ESA reflects a shared ambition: to build a competitive European sovereignty in space connectivity, powered by bold technology designed and developed in Europe. We’re proving that it’s possible to compete on a global scale without compromise—giving telecom operators back control over their future in space. Space is the new frontier for telecoms!”
Laurent Jaffart, Director of Connectivity and Secure Communications at ESA, adds:“This agreementaligns withESA’s strategy to support the rise of innovative European players and jointly build resilient connectivity. The upcoming tests with CTO will pave the way for new hybrid use cases at the intersection of terrestrial and space networks.”
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About Constellation Technologies & Operations
Constellation Technologies & Operations is developing a satellite constellation that enables telecom operators to provide high-speed, low-latency internet access from space, complementing terrestrial networks. Through Very Low Earth Orbit satellites and the innovative use of telecom operators’ 5G spectrum, the company delivers a high-performance, affordable, and sustainable solution to meet the evolving needs of the global connectivity market.
About the European Space Agency
The European Space Agency (ESA) provides Europe’s gateway to space.
ESA is an intergovernmental organisation, created in 1975, with the mission to shape the development of Europe’s space capability and ensure that investment in space delivers benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world.
ESA has 23 Member States: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. Latvia, Lithuania and Slovakia are Associate Members.
ESA has established formal cooperation with four Member States of the EU. Canada takes part in some ESA programmes under a Cooperation Agreement.
By coordinating the financial and intellectual resources of its members, ESA can undertake programmes and activities far beyond the scope of any single European country. It is working in particular with the EU on implementing the Galileo and Copernicus programmes as well as with Eumetsat for the development of meteorological missions.
Learn more about ESA at www.esa.int
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