Satellite and space systems
Transparent (bent-pipe) payloads
Payloads that frequency-translate and amplify signals, keeping the gNB or hub on the ground.
We design and integrate.
3GPP TS 38.300 (NTN, Rel-17) · 3GPP TR 38.821 (NR NTN solutions)
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Space and satellite systems/
NTN and direct-to-device3GPP non-terrestrial networks, from orbit to handset.
NTN and direct-to-device, inside Space and satellite systems: transparent (bent-pipe) payloads, regenerative payloads and on-board processing, multibeam and digitally beamformed payloads, 5G NR over satellite (NR-NTN) and more. Every item is traced to its specification, from 3GPP TS 38.300 (NTN, Rel-17) to 3GPP TR 38.821 (NR NTN solutions), and runs on the open Observatory Protocol.
Plan with usArchitectureThe protocol- Technologies
- 9
- At the frontier
- 3
- Protocol functions
- 5 of 8
- Industries served
- 10
Reference design, drawn to scale · drag to turn · hover a part
01What it is
Communications payloads, NTN and direct-to-device.
The space segment end to end: orbits and constellations, spacecraft buses, communications and Earth observation payloads, inter-satellite links, tracking and command, space safety, launch, and the licensing and filings that let a system operate over a site. Each technology below carries what it is, what we do with it, and the standard it is drawn against.
Frontier · Satellite and space systems
Regenerative payloads and on-board processing
Payloads that demodulate, route or run base-station functions in orbit, cutting gateway dependence and latency.
We design and integrate.
3GPP Rel-19 NR NTN enhancements (regenerative payload) · 3GPP TS 38.300
Satellite and space systems
Multibeam and digitally beamformed payloads
Hundreds of steerable spot beams with flexible power and bandwidth that follow demand across a coverage area.
We design and integrate.
ETSI EN 302 307-2 (DVB-S2X) · Rec. ITU-R S.1503
Satellite and space systems
5G NR over satellite (NR-NTN)
3GPP NR adapted for satellite delay and Doppler so standard 5G devices and cores work over orbiting access.
We design, integrate, deploy and operate.
3GPP TS 38.300 (NTN, Rel-17) · 3GPP TS 38.101-5 (UE RF, satellite access) · 3GPP TS 38.108 (satellite access node radio)
Satellite and space systems
IoT over satellite (NB-IoT and LTE-M NTN)
Low-power cellular IoT over satellite for sensors in places with no terrestrial coverage.
We design, integrate, deploy and operate.
3GPP TR 36.763 (IoT NTN study) · 3GPP TS 36.300 (Rel-17)
Frontier · Satellite and space systems
Direct-to-device in mobile bands
Satellites serving unmodified phones in terrestrial mobile spectrum to extend coverage at the edge of networks.
We design, integrate and support.
FCC Supplemental Coverage from Space framework (2024) · ITU WRC-27 agenda item 1.13 (Resolution 253 (WRC-23))
Satellite and space systems
Mobile satellite services in L and S band
Narrowband voice, messaging and telemetry links that keep working in severe weather and for safety services.
We integrate, deploy and operate.
ITU RR Art. 5 (MSS allocations) · 3GPP TS 38.101-5 (NTN bands n255, n256)
Frontier · Satellite and space systems
Store-and-forward satellite IoT
Satellites that collect data when out of gateway view and deliver later, suited to sparse sensor networks.
We design and integrate.
3GPP Rel-19 IoT NTN store-and-forward
Satellite and space systems
Satellite broadcast and multicast
One-to-many delivery of content, software updates and alerts across wide areas.
We design, integrate and operate.
ETSI EN 302 307-1 (DVB-S2) · 3GPP TS 23.247 (5G multicast-broadcast)
02Architecture
Where it sits, and what it speaks.
NTN and direct-to-device draws on 3 domains and 24 layers of the spectrum; the highlighted layers carry this area. It speaks 5 of the protocol’s 8 core functions.
Orbits and constellations
8
Spacecraft buses and platforms
9
Communications payloads, NTN and direct-to-device
9
Inter-satellite and space-to-ground links
7
Earth observation payload classes
10
Tracking, telemetry and command and space safety
9
Launch, licensing and regulation
8
Frontier and research
6
Gateways and teleports
8
User terminals
9
Baseband, modems and software-defined radio
8
Ground-station-as-a-service and antenna networks
7
CCSDS protocol stacks
9
Mission control and flight dynamics
7
Data downlink, processing and distribution
8
Earth station spectrum coordination and interference
7
01JoinIdentity, attestation quote, signed policy.
02AdmitAdmitted for a stated scope, nothing wider.
03DescribeWhat, where, how and by whom, with calibration.
04TimeOne clock across the grid, with its error bound.
05ObserveEvery value with quality and provenance.
06QualifyTested against the specification, state on record.
07FederateSigned exchange across grids and trust domains.
08OrchestrateSoftware and configuration by signed plan.
03On the grid
Every site joins one observing grid.
The open networks on the grid today, over real relief and the geodesic cells we count them into, filtered to the space domain this area serves. A site built here enrols into the same grid.
04In the field
Where this runs, sector by sector.
6 deployment scenarios from the sector research that rely on ntn and direct-to-device.
Government and public safetyDeployable communications and sensing for incident command
A cell on wheels with satellite backhaul, mesh telemetry and environment nodes at the incident base.Development and humanitarianSchool connectivity with a school observatory
Satellite or fixed wireless, school Wi-Fi, an open connectivity probe and an optional station.Development and humanitarianDisplacement-site connectivity and sensing
Point-to-multipoint wireless, satellite backhaul, solar and water-point sensors with protection safeguards.ScientificOcean and coastal low-cost buoy arrays
Satellite-backhauled wave buoys accepted in a national programme trial.TransportHighway corridor mobile coverage for safety
Small cells and satellite backhaul along unserved roads.Government and public safetyNational GBON surface and upper-air network
WMO-grade stations reporting through WIS 2.0, funded through the systematic-observations financing pathway.05Open and enterprise
Open by default. Enterprise by contract.
The open counterpart lives on the main site for anyone to read and run. The enterprise service is designed, deployed and operated with you, under contract.
Open, on the main site
- Orbit and pass methods
- Payload class catalogue
- Ground-station interfaces on the protocol
Enterprise, on this site
- Mission and payload integration
- Tasking and downlink services
- Non-terrestrial backhaul for remote sites
06The rest of the line
Space and satellite systems, area by area.
Space and satellite systemsConstellations and orbits
LEO, MEO and GEO, sized to revisit and coverage.Space and satellite systemsSpacecraft and payloads
Buses and optical, radar and RF payload classes.Space and satellite systemsTasking and downlink
Request, schedule, receive and process: one chain.Space and satellite systemsSpace safety
Tracking, telemetry and command, conjunction awareness.Space and satellite systemsLicensing and spectrum
Filings, coordination and earth-station rules, by country.Bring us the site.
Survey, design, deployment and operation for ntn and direct-to-device. The form names who receives your details.
Talk to uscontact@observatory.global