Antonio Franchi, Head of Space for 5G and 6G Strategic Programme at ESA, said: “Collaborations with industrial partners, like this one with Aalyria, play a pivotal role in ESA's efforts to advance the digital transformation of industry and society, thanks to the integration of 5G/6G terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks. Establishing seamless, ubiquitous and resilient connectivity is vital in the context of emerging technologies. The platform envisioned under this development contract could be a game-changing asset for telecommunications systems, with substantial benefits for stakeholders.”

Chris Taylor, Aalyria CEO, said: "This achievement marks a significant milestone in Aalyria's journey towards reshaping the future of space communications. Our collaboration with ESA is a testament to our dedication to pushing the boundaries of what is possible with 5G space connectivity."