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AIDAN Next

Ongoing
Optical

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Serving as the evolutionary follow-on to the AIDAN Partnership Project, AIDAN Next seeks to drive forward advanced technologies in satellite communications, particularly optical inter-satellite links, network automation, beamforming and hybrid geostationary Earth orbit (GEO) non-geostationary orbit (NGSO) connectivity across Europe and Canada.

AIDAN Next combines the expertise of an industrial and research organisations consortium of 14 partners, led by Viasat and six participating Member States: The Netherlands, Switzerland, Italy, Ireland, the United Kingdom and Canada.
AIDAN (Advanced Innovative Data Access Network) was initially launched as a partnership project under ARTES to develop ground-segment and satellite-segment technologies for very high throughput satellite (VHTS) systems and next-generation broadband satellite services. Building on the successes of AIDAN, such as ground segment development for ViaSat’s Viasat-3 satellite network and aeronautical terminals, ESA and its industry partners recognised the need to push further: hence AIDAN Next was established.
As as global demand for connectivity increases, especially for high throughput, low latency, hybrid terrestrial-satellite networks, Europe must maintain its technological edge and industrial competitiveness. AIDAN Next targets key enabling technologies to strengthen European and Canadian industry in the global satellite communications market.

Technological areas of AIDAN Next

AIDAN Next centres on several core technology areas:

Optical inter-satellite links (OISL)
Developing lightweight, low-cost optical space inter-satellite link terminals, such as laser communications between satellites, to enable high-capacity data routing in orbit and across constellations.
Network automation and AI
Coverage & Connectivity
Hybrid GEO/NGSO and digital beamforming:
Combining geostationary satellite capacity with non-geostationary orbit (NGSO) systems, via user-terminals and network designs that can seamlessly merge and switch between layers, supported by digital beam-forming and flexible terminals.
Low-cost ground and space segments
The project emphasises reducing cost barriers for adoption of satellite communications – both in the space segment (smaller/lightweight terminals) and ground segment (automated gateways, operations).

By focusing on these areas, AIDAN Next addresses the full ecosystem, from user terminals, through ground stations and network operations, to space-segment links. The intent is to make satellite-based high-capacity connectivity more agile, cost-efficient, and integrated with terrestrial/NGSO networks.


Milestones and current status 

Key milestones for AIDAN Next include:

Signing of the project
ESA and the Viasat-led consortium formally initiated AIDAN Next at the ESA’s ScyLight Conference and Quantum Workshop in Eindhoven, The Netherlands.
Technology definition and development
The project is now in its execution phase, with development activities of optical inter-satellite link terminals, automation algorithms, digital beamforming and hybrid network design underway.
Integration towards commercial services
Emphasising not just technology prototypes, but the path to low-cost adoption. As an example, user terminals that can support multiple network layers and seamlessly connect across GEO/NGSO.

Benefits brought by AIDAN Next

Strengthening European space-industry roles
By involving European and Canadian companies, AIDAN Next helps anchor high-value satellite communications technologies – optical links, beamforming, automation – in Europe.
Opening new markets and services
As satellite networks evolve into hybrid LEO/MEO/GEO models, user demands shift towards seamless connectivity (particularly in mobile, aeronautical, maritime, Internet of Things (IoT)). AIDAN Next technologies aim to enable European players to capture portions of this growth.
Enabling resilience and futureproofing
Optical inter-satellite links reduce reliance on terrestrial fibre back-haul, enhance data routing flexibility, and aid network resilience – important for national security, remote access, disaster recovery scenarios.
Cost reduction and scalability
Lowering barriers, through lightweight terminals, and automation, enables not just large capital-rich operators, but mid-tier players and emerging services to adopt satellite broadband, bridging digital divides.

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

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Advanced Research in Telecommunications Systems (ARTES)

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