Filtronic wins EUR 3.7 million payload development project with the ESA

The EUR 3.7 million contract falls under ESA’s Advanced Research and Telecommunications Systems (ARTES) programme for “Space Deployment of 5G/6G and Sustainable Connectivity”. Under the contract, Filtronic will develop a series of advanced mmWave products to enable broadband connectivity from low earth orbit (“LEO”) satellites to receiving ground stations. The programme, which is part of the business forecast for FY2024, will begin immediately with the development of design concepts and prototypes during the current financial year, with the final hardware deliverable by 31 March 2025.

“We are delighted to work with ESA on this important development at the leading edge of LEO space communications. The LEO space market is developing fast and the need for higher bandwidth links between satellites and the ground station is inevitable. Working with ESA to develop products at multiple frequencies, that can be supplied as part of next generation LEO constellations, is both timely and strategically important for Filtronic,” said Richard Gibbs, Chief Executive Officer of Filtronic.

The ARTES programme will utilise Filtronic’s existing core IP, together with established expertise in design and qualification of mmWave telecommunication technology, including the recent development of advanced solid state power amplifiers (“SSPAs”) for the first LEO E-band ground station trials. The ARTES programme is fully supported by the UK Space Agency, and it aligns with the UK Government’s stated goal of getting UK suppliers to play a significant role in the future of global telecommunication infrastructure.

Satellite operators are progressively turning to Ka, Q/V and W-band frequencies to deliver the ultra-high bandwidth data links needed for the specific requirements of LEO space communications. Filtronic is well-positioned to adapt existing telecommunications technology, manufactured in commercial volumes to meet this demand.