SatGO educational kit: from satellite communications to STEM
Thanks to the Internet of Things (IoT) solution SatGO, developed by Danish space technology company SheileX in partnership with the European Space Agency (ESA), students can now grasp the principles of satellite communications in a hands-on, practical way. The solution, which is now commercially available for schools and other educational institutions, is designed to immerse students in the world of cutting-edge satellite communications and the IoT, equipping them with the essential skills needed for a rapidly evolving digital landscape.
As satellite connectivity, big data, and intelligent systems increasingly shape our society, it is more important than ever to prepare young people for the future. SatGO provides students with a direct data link to a real satellite and empowers them to develop critical STEM skills. The IoT, which connects intelligent devices and enables data exchange between them, is transforming sectors such as climate monitoring, sustainable transportation, smart agriculture, renewable energy management and security.
Tailored for students aged 10 up to university level, industry and governments, the educational package includes a detailed lesson plan, a satcom-enabled IoT device, and in-depth background theory in science and technology. The SatGO device itself is equipped with a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receiver to determine position and precise timing by satellite, an inertial measurement unit (a device that measures orientation and acceleration), and environmental sensors capable of measuring ambient temperature, relative humidity and barometric pressure.
More specifically, the SatGO ground terminal has the ability to establish a communication data link via a real satellite in low-Earth orbit, and be controlled remotely. The accompanying lesson materials guide students through the fundamentals of telecommunications by satellite, sensor technology, satellite-enabled navigation and the real-world applications. With SatGO, students can discover their environment in a creative way, carry out experiments, analyse their results and cultivate an engineering mindset through collaborative, play-based exploration.
In July of 2025, field tests of the device were conducted with high school students at the ESA European Centre for Space Applications and Telecommunications (ECSAT) in Harwell, UK, during ESA Discovery Week.
The commercial rollout will start in Denmark, marking a significant step towards inspiring a new generation to engage with space technology. By diversifying and enhancing STEM education, SatGO bridges a gap between academic and experiential learning. It represents a varied curriculum for aspiring innovators and future engineers, through a playful exploration of the real-world challenges and opportunities of space technology. The skillsets expand into many professionals: climate scientists, marine biologists, agriculturists, economic analysts, designers, urban planners, space lawyers, policy advisors, public health officers, telemedicine specialists, etc.
Developed under ESA’s Advanced Research in Telecommunications Systems (ARTES) programme, within the Directorate of Connectivity and Secure Communications, the current initiative follows a pilot study conducted by ESA in 2020 through to 2021. In this study, students aged 10 to 16 built a LEGO rover equipped with an IoT satcom modem prototype that was sent to Greenland and transmitted data back to the school via satellite.
Marc Welter, project manager at ESA’s Connectivity and Secure Communications, said: “It is essential to inspire young students and encourage them to engage with STEM. Thanks to initiatives like SatGO, ESA is not only supporting the European space industry to develop cutting-edge commercial solutions, but also training future professionals who one-day will help to support European competitiveness in the space and technology sector.”