Galileo R&D tests new uplink antenna

Written by Copernical Team Thursday, 25 September 2025 08:52

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Panel of newly developed phased array antenna

Galileo relies on ground-based uplink stations (ULS) to maintain accurate positioning for users worldwide. These stations transmit essential data to the satellites, including the information required to compute the satellites' orbits and clock corrections. Traditionally, such messages are sent using dish antennas. However, a new type of ground uplink antenna – a phased array antenna – was recently tested at the European Space Agency’s (ESA) site in Redu, Belgium. Developed under ESA's Horizon 2020 programme for R&D, which aims to keep Galileo up to date with the latest innovations, this innovative antenna could benefit

While traditional ground stations, using dish antennas, rely on mechanical steering to track and maintain contact with a single satellite, phased array antennas use electronics to steer the radio waves and communicate with satellites. This enables faster satellite pointing and re-pointing, improved reliability over the station’s lifetime and simultaneous communication with multiple satellites.

The ability of one phased array antenna to contact multiple satellites at once could be useful for satellite constellations, such as Galileo Second Generation (G2), which is currently under development. Phased array antennas for uplink could be a more efficient system capable of transmitting more data to more satellites. This could support new and improved services and reduce the number of ground stations and amount of maintenance needed.

As a part of its R&D Programme for Galileo and EGNOS Evolutions, Horizon 2020 (the predecessor of Horizon Europe) has enabled the development of novel technologies which will now be used in G2 space and ground segments. In one of these projects, the ESA Navigation Directorate explores the advantages of using phased array antennas for future ULS of Galileo.

Phased array antennas are already used on satellites, but in 2021, a contract for the development of an ULS Advanced Station was awarded to TTI Norte, with Celestia Antwerp and GMV as subcontractors. This activity aimed to develop and test a phased array antenna prototype compliant with Galileo requirements. Industry teams have now reached the last phase of the demonstration, which involved over-the-air testing and verified the promises of this new technology.