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Space Inspire Novacom II, marks a major evolution in the design of geostationary (GEO) communications satellites.
Novacom II is a public-private partnership between ESA and the satellite manufacturer Thales Alenia Space, aimed at creating a new generation of fully software-defined, in-orbit reconfigurable GEO satellites for video broadcasting and broadband connectivity.
In essence, where previous GEO satellites were built for fixed missions, with set coverage zones, beam patterns and frequency plans locked in before launch, Novacom II is designed to adapt dynamically after launch, allowing operators to reallocate coverage, adjust bandwidth, re-shape beams and respond to changing market or technical demands.
The need for reconfigurable satellites in GEO
The satellite communications market is undergoing profound shifts: increasing demand for broadband, mobility on land, air and sea, direct-to-device connectivity, digital video services and agile capacity redeployment. At the same time, operators face pressure for cost-efficiency, time-to-market and flexibility.
Fixed-mission GEO satellites are becoming increasingly less suited to dynamic markets. Novacom II addresses this gap by enabling a standardised, flexible GEO platform that can evolve. Space Inspire Novacom II will make it possible to adapt almost instantly to customer demands.
From the industrial perspective, Novacom II helps European industry develop a next-generation product line for the commercial GEO market, supporting supply chains, innovation and export competitiveness. Because such risk-heavy development might not occur under purely commercial conditions, ESA’s Partnership Project project under the Advanced Research in Telecommunications Systems (ARTES) model shares development risk and helps bridge the gap between R&D and market-ready hardware.
Key features of Space Inspire Novacom II
Benefits to industry, operators and users
For Europe’s industry
Novacom II plays a major role in ensuring Europe retains independent capability in advanced GEO telecom satellite production, rather than relying solely on non-European suppliers. It enhances European industrial competitiveness, exports and high-tech supply chains.
For operators
Operators gain significant flexibility and cost-effectiveness; rather than locking into one mission profile for over 15 years, they can dynamically optimise coverage, shift capacity to regions of demand, and respond to market changes to increase revenue potential and resilience.
For users and services
End users (particularly in broadband, mobility and video domains) benefit from satellites that can be tailored, repurposed, and managed similarly to network assets on the ground.
Financial returns
Partnership Projects such as Novacom II are expected to generate exceptional return on investment for Member States and industry, re-enforcing the value of public-private co-funding in catalysing technological leaps.
The evolution and enhancement of Novacom II
As of 2025, it has been announced that Novacom II will begin its next phase to include new technologies that support the integration of GEO satellites within multi-orbit networks. The evolution will improve resilience, flexibility, and cost-efficiency.
This enhancement will also include development of Ka-band payloads for commercial and defence use, software tools for rapid configuration, and expansion of building blocks to enable diverse mission profiles.
RELATED LINKS & CONTACS
CONTACT
Michael Witting
ESA’s European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC)
Keplerlaan 1
2201 AZ Noordwijk, The Netherlands
+31 625158619
Michael.Witting@esa.int
Documents
Overview page
Advanced Research in Telecommunications Systems (ARTES)
Overview page
Partnership Projects programme
Overview page