Constellation Technologies & Operations (CTO), a future provider of space-based connectivity services, has signed a memorandum of intent with the European Space Agency (ESA) to conduct joint experiments in Low Earth Orbit (LEO). These tests will focus on the “Early Test”—the first regenerative payload operating in the 5G mmWave band, onboard a satellite scheduled for launch in June 2025.

This agreement reflects a shared ambition to strengthen Europe’s role in space innovation and competitiveness. At a time when satellite connectivity is largely dominated by American and Chinese giants, CTO champions a bold, “Made in Europe” alternative: a shared, neutral, and independently operated space infrastructure that empowers telecom operators to deliver high-speed, low-latency internet from space, in complement to terrestrial networks.

At the core of this collaboration is a real-world trial from LEO using a regenerative 5G payload leveraging telecom operators’ 5G FR2 (mmWave) spectrum. Designed as the technological pathfinder of CTO’s future constellation, the test aims to validate the interoperability of space and terrestrial networks, enabling high-speed, low-latency, cost-effective, and sustainable hybrid connectivity.

ESA, a key supporter of the development of 3GPP-compliant Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN), sees this initiative as a driver for European innovation and autonomy. The combination of a regenerative payload developed in France and ESA’s experimental capabilities at ECSAT (Oxfordshire, UK) marks a major step forward in the race for European technological sovereignty.