OneWeb user terminal on Sail for Tomorrow's boat "Odyssey"

To achieve truly global connectivity, telecommunications satellites are essential. Through the Sunrise Partnership Project with Eutelsat OneWeb – part of Eutelsat Group – and support from the UK Space Agency, ESA is extending advanced 5G connectivity to areas beyond the reach of traditional ground networks.

OneWeb's constellation consists of over 600 satellites orbiting at 1200 km above Earth, also known as low Earth orbit (LEO). Due to their proximity to Earth, these satellites can deliver high-speed, low-latency connectivity from pole to pole. To harness this global coverage, Eutelsat OneWeb offers user terminals (UTs) – often compact devices that act like antennas to connect to the satellite network, enabling internet service.

The UTs come in various sizes and can be installed on planes, ships, vehicles or buildings to provide strong and reliable connectivity to anyone, anywhere, even in the most remote areas. They also offer robust security protocols and resilience in extreme environments, making them particularly advantageous for organisations seeking their own private networks.

First steps: Arctic exploration and ocean research

To showcase the strength of this joint solution, ESA, Eutelsat OneWeb and the UK Space Agency have partnered with two exciting oceanic expeditions for the first demonstration of these user terminals.

One is the Sail for Tomorrow student expedition. The crew will spend the next 8 months venturing from France to Tahiti through the Panama Canal, conducting ocean research and participating in an educational program with a primary school in France. The UT on their ship “Odyssey”, manufactured by Intellian Technologies, will allow the team to share real-time marine research findings and video conference with the primary school students, bringing their exciting research directly into classrooms. Be sure to follow x.com/EsaTelecoms to get live updates from the Sail for Tomorrow crew!

The second demonstration is the Polar Pod expedition, led by renowned French explorer Dr Jean-Louis Étienne. Dr Étienne and his crew are in the process of building research facilities in the seas of the South and North Poles. These facilities, called Polar Pods, will be established in areas which have never before been studied over extended periods of time. They will research the exchange of CO2 between the air and sea, ocean salinity and circulation, the wellbeing of blue whales, and monitoring phytoplankton from space, microplastics and more.

The bespoke UT for this project has been installed on Dr Étienne’s supply ship "Perseverance" and has already been supporting their operations around the North Pole, with a South Pole expedition planned for 2026. With the UT, Perseverance can transfer large amounts of scientific data at high speeds. This connectivity is vital for efficient collaboration and ensuring the crew can communicate, especially in extreme Arctic and Antarctic conditions.

These expeditions exemplify how space technology can benefit scientific research on Earth, contributing to environmental protection and education of future generations. The reliable connectivity provided by the User Terminals ensures that valuable data from these remote locations can be transmitted and analysed in real-time without disruptions.

Future applications and potential

While these expeditions demonstrate specific connectivity use cases at sea, the potential for the satellite constellation to transform communications extends far beyond, from revolutionising disaster response efforts to telemedicine services and more. The business world stands to benefit significantly: airlines can offer uninterrupted in-flight connectivity, office buildings can establish secure private networks, trains can stay connected over long distances, and transport companies can maintain constant communication with ships at sea.

The satellite and user terminal technology represents a leap forward in our ability to connect and communicate globally. It opens possibilities for research, education and operations in areas previously inaccessible by terrestrial networks.