Kratos and Intelsat Demo 5G NTN Over GEO
Kratos Defense & Security Solutions and Intelsat have successfully demonstrated a 5G Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) operating over a geostationary (GEO) satellite. The test, conducted using Kratos’ OpenSpace® software-defined ground system and Intelsat’s virtualized 5G network, validated that standard 5G user equipment can connect to a satellite-based cell, paving the way for universal broadband coverage.
The over-the-air demonstration utilized Intelsat’s Galaxy 19 Ku-band satellite and confirmed the seamless extension of 5G services using cloud-native, virtual 5G core architecture. With user equipment emulators from VIAVI successfully attaching and exchanging traffic, the test showcased how 3GPP Rel-17-compliant satellite integration can be used to extend terrestrial 5G services into hard-to-reach and remote areas.
Kratos and Intelsat’s joint achievement signals a pivotal move toward converged terrestrial-satellite 5G infrastructure, with OpenSpace bringing modern software-defined networking capabilities to traditionally rigid satellite systems. The result is a flexible, standards-based platform that will help unlock mainstream adoption of space-based 5G services which can be critical for global coverage, disaster recovery, and defense communications.