ESA Picks Keysight and Sateliot to Develop Blockchain Security Framework for 5G NTN
Keysight Technologies and Sateliot have been selected by the European Space Agency (ESA) to develop a blockchain-enabled security framework for 5G non-terrestrial networks (NTN), as part of a three-year project under the ARTES Space for 5G/6G programme.
Keysight will lead the programme, with Sateliot contributing satellite integration and technical development. The project will explore how blockchain, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning and digital calibration certificates can be used to improve trust, anomaly detection and cybersecurity across the entire NTN lifecycle—from satellite manufacturing and testing through to in-orbit operations.
The initiative addresses the growing complexity of hybrid satellite-terrestrial networks, where increasing numbers of satellite constellations and future 6G architectures will require secure, verifiable data to support autonomous network management and protect against spoofing, tampering and other cyber threats.
The programme will progress from laboratory research and prototyping to an in-orbit demonstration, validating blockchain-based trust mechanisms and AI-driven anomaly detection in an operational satellite environment. ESA said the work is intended to strengthen Europe's position in secure satellite communications while supporting the development of trusted 5G and future 6G non-terrestrial networks.