--- title: "NTN and direct-to-device: Space and | Nexus Observatory" description: "NTN and direct-to-device, inside Space and satellite systems: transparent (bent-pipe) payloads, regenerative payloads and on-board processing…" url: https://observatory.global/space/ntn-and-direct-to-device/ publisher: Nexus Observatory Inc. updated: 2026-10-29 --- [Nexus Observatory](https://observatory.global/) / [Space and satellite systems](https://observatory.global/space/) / **NTN and direct-to-device** # 3GPP 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 us](https://observatory.global/contact/) Architecture [The protocol](https://observatory.global/protocol/specification/) **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 **01** What 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. 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) **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) **02** Architecture ## 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 01**Join** Identity, attestation quote, signed policy. 02**Admit** Admitted for a stated scope, nothing wider. 03**Describe** What, where, how and by whom, with calibration. 04**Time** One clock across the grid, with its error bound. 05**Observe** Every value with quality and provenance. 06**Qualify** Tested against the specification, state on record. 07**Federate** Signed exchange across grids and trust domains. 08**Orchestrate** Software and configuration by signed plan. **03** On 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. **04** In 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 safety Deployable communications and sensing for incident commandA cell on wheels with satellite backhaul, mesh telemetry and environment nodes at the incident base.](https://observatory.global/sectors/public-safety/) [Development and humanitarian School connectivity with a school observatorySatellite or fixed wireless, school Wi-Fi, an open connectivity probe and an optional station.](https://observatory.global/sectors/humanitarian/) [Development and humanitarian Displacement-site connectivity and sensingPoint-to-multipoint wireless, satellite backhaul, solar and water-point sensors with protection safeguards.](https://observatory.global/sectors/humanitarian/) [Scientific Ocean and coastal low-cost buoy arraysSatellite-backhauled wave buoys accepted in a national programme trial.](https://observatory.global/sectors/scientific/) [Transport Highway corridor mobile coverage for safetySmall cells and satellite backhaul along unserved roads.](https://observatory.global/sectors/transport/) [Government and public safety National GBON surface and upper-air networkWMO-grade stations reporting through WIS 2.0, funded through the systematic-observations financing pathway.](https://observatory.global/sectors/public-safety/) **05** Open 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 **06** The rest of the line ## Space and satellite systems, area by area. [Space and satellite systems Constellations and orbitsLEO, MEO and GEO, sized to revisit and coverage.](https://observatory.global/space/constellations-and-orbits/) [Space and satellite systems Spacecraft and payloadsBuses and optical, radar and RF payload classes.](https://observatory.global/space/spacecraft-and-payloads/) [Space and satellite systems Tasking and downlinkRequest, schedule, receive and process: one chain.](https://observatory.global/space/tasking-and-downlink/) [Space and satellite systems Space safetyTracking, telemetry and command, conjunction awareness.](https://observatory.global/space/space-safety/) [Space and satellite systems Licensing and spectrumFilings, coordination and earth-station rules, by country.](https://observatory.global/space/licensing-and-spectrum/) ## Bring us the site. Survey, design, deployment and operation for ntn and direct-to-device. The form names who receives your details. [Talk to us](https://observatory.global/contact/) [contact@observatory.global](mailto:contact@observatory.global?subject=Space%20and%20satellite%20systems%3A%20NTN%20and%20direct-to-device) [Nexus Observatory](https://observatory.global/)**Space and satellite systems** . From orbit to the ground, on one protocol.[Talk to us](https://observatory.global/contact/) Space and satellite systems - [Constellations and orbits](https://observatory.global/space/constellations-and-orbits/) - [Spacecraft and payloads](https://observatory.global/space/spacecraft-and-payloads/) - [NTN and direct-to-device](https://observatory.global/space/ntn-and-direct-to-device/) - [Tasking and downlink](https://observatory.global/space/tasking-and-downlink/) - [Space safety](https://observatory.global/space/space-safety/) - [Licensing and spectrum](https://observatory.global/space/licensing-and-spectrum/) Technologies - [Orbits and constellations](https://observatory.global/technologies/satellite/orbits-and-constellations/) - [Spacecraft buses and platforms](https://observatory.global/technologies/satellite/spacecraft-buses-and-platforms/) - [Gateways and teleports](https://observatory.global/technologies/ground/gateways-and-teleports/) - [User terminals](https://observatory.global/technologies/ground/user-terminals/) - [Platforms and orbits](https://observatory.global/technologies/eo/platforms-and-orbits/) - [Optical, spectral and thermal sensors](https://observatory.global/technologies/eo/optical-spectral-and-thermal-sensors/) Industries - [Public safety](https://observatory.global/industries/public-safety/) - [Humanitarian](https://observatory.global/industries/humanitarian/) - [Climate](https://observatory.global/industries/climate/) - [Nature](https://observatory.global/industries/nature/) - [Oceans](https://observatory.global/industries/oceans/) - [Agriculture](https://observatory.global/industries/agriculture/) - [Telecom](https://observatory.global/industries/telecom/) Service platforms - [Observatory Protocol](https://observatory.global/protocol/) - [Protocol & Grid](https://observatory.global/grid-services/) - [Software](https://observatory.global/software/) - [Hardware & power](https://observatory.global/hardware/) - [Sensors & instruments](https://observatory.global/sensors/) - [Connectivity](https://observatory.global/connectivity/) - [Edge compute & AI](https://observatory.global/edge-ai/) © 2026 Nexus Observatory Inc. 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