SES Taps K2 Space for Next-Gen 5G-NTN MEO Network, meoSphere
SES has selected K2 Space as a key partner for its next-generation medium Earth orbit (MEO) constellation, meoSphere, in what it calls a major step in expanding multi-orbit, 5G-NTN-enabled connectivity.
Planned for initial deployment by 2030, meoSphere will significantly increase SES’s global capacity while supporting a wide range of use cases from telecom backhaul and mobility to government and defence applications. The first phase will include 28 high-power satellites built on K2 Space platforms, paired with SES-developed software-defined payloads.
At the heart of the programme is a shift toward more flexible, software-driven satellite architecture aligned with 3GPP 5G non-terrestrial network standards. This will allow the constellation to integrate more seamlessly with terrestrial mobile networks, supporting hybrid connectivity models and enabling new services including direct-to-device (D2D) applications and multi-orbit data routing.
Operating at around 8,000 km altitude, the MEO network is designed to balance coverage, latency and capacity. Compared to LEO systems, it offers broader geographic reach with fewer satellites, while still delivering lower latency than traditional GEO networks. Combined with optical inter-satellite links and software-defined payloads, meoSphere is intended to function as a high-performance “backbone in space” — capable of relaying data across constellations and supporting real-time connectivity.
SES also emphasises the network’s role in resilience and sovereignty. The architecture is designed to support secure, sovereign communications for government users, while enabling telecom operators to add redundancy and extend coverage beyond terrestrial limits.