Via Satellite archive photo

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions reported that over-the-air (OTA) testing with Intelsat demonstrated a 5G non-terrestrial network (NTN) over a satellite in Geostationary Orbit (GEO). 

The demonstration Kratos announced July 17 validated a satellite base station – a 5G NTN gNodeB — that Kratos developed with Radisys, deployed in its OpenSpace software-defined satellite ground system. The OTA demonstration used that base station to orchestrate a 5G NR-NTN cell that was activated over Intelsat’s Galaxy 19 Ku-band satellite in GEO. 

Kratos reported that user equipment emulators from Viavi Solutions attached and established protocol data unit (PDU) traffic flows from different locations within the 5G-NTN cell. Kratos said this showed that any standards-compliant terminal can access the 5G network on a satellite connection.

“This demonstration represents a significant milestone in both companies’ progress in advancing ubiquitous 5G connectivity that spans both terrestrial and space networks,” said Greg Quiggle, Senior Vice President of Product Management at Kratos. “This remarkable technical accomplishment demonstrates the value of the OpenSpace virtual ground system in enabling that connectivity.”

Kratos is working with industry partners to develop cloud native 5G-NTN solutions for satellite operators. The company plans that its OpenSpace platform will be used to bring software-defined networking principles to the legacy satellite environment to deliver 5G services with terrestrial networks. 

Intelsat is now part of SES after the acquisition closed on July 17.