UK’s £13m Funding for Satellite Projects Includes 5G and 6G NTN
The UK Space Agency has announced £13 million in funding for 16 satellite communications projects, with several initiatives focused on advancing 5G, 6G and non-terrestrial network capabilities.
The investment is being delivered through the European Space Agency’s ARTES programme and is intended to support next-generation satellite systems, strengthen UK capability and accelerate the integration of satellite and terrestrial connectivity.
Among the most NTN-relevant projects is Aalyria Technologies’ TS-SDN based SMO for 5G/6G NTNs, which will develop software interfaces that allow terrestrial networks and satellite systems to work together more seamlessly. The project is designed to help users remain connected as they move between mobile coverage and satellite-only areas, while also using AI to reduce interference between satellites.
Farmer Charlie’s GAUFF Sensor project will focus on terrestrial and non-terrestrial network optimisation for low-cost agricultural sensors. The system is designed to use a mix of satellite and mobile connectivity, enabling farmers and growers to collect crop, soil and environmental data even in rural areas with poor or no terrestrial coverage.
The funding also includes support for Lacuna Space, which is developing a new generation of small, affordable satellite user terminals for connecting sensors and everyday objects in remote locations. This aligns with growing demand for satellite IoT services that can extend beyond the reach of conventional mobile networks.
Several projects will strengthen the wider infrastructure needed for future 5G/6G NTN systems, including flexible payload processing, optical ground stations, digital uplink systems and high-capacity laser communications. Airbus Defence and Space UK’s Theia project, for example, will develop software-defined payload processor technology that can be reprogrammed in orbit, improving adaptability for future satellite missions.
CGI’s SODOR project will trial satellite connectivity on ScotRail’s West Highland Line, demonstrating how satellite networks can fill mobile coverage gaps in remote transport corridors. While positioned around passenger broadband, the trial also reflects the wider role of satellite as a resilience layer for mobility, transport and hard-to-reach infrastructure.
The projects point to a more integrated satellite communications roadmap for the UK, where NTN is not treated as a standalone space capability but as part of future terrestrial network evolution. This includes 5G and 6G integration, IoT connectivity, resilient mobility services, software-defined satellite systems and AI-assisted network management.