Insider Brief
- Open Cosmos and i2CAT have launched Europe’s first Low Earth Orbit lab focused on advancing research and development for non-terrestrial networks with the ultimate mission of accelerating the evolution of 5G and paving the way for 6G advancements.
- The lab will be powered by the 6GStarLab satellite, a key initiative to validate next-generation communication technologies in space.
- i2CAT has secured a €1.65 million public contract for Open Cosmos to design, manufacture, integrate, launch, and deploy the 6GStarLab satellite.
- The 6GStarLab satellite is scheduled for launch this October, with research operations slated to begin in early 2026.
Open Cosmos and i2CAT have announced the launch of Europe’s first Low Earth Orbit (LEO) lab focused on advancing research and development for non-terrestrial networks (NTN). The lab will be powered by the 6GStarLab satellite, a key initiative to validate next-generation communication technologies in space. Unveiled at the Mobile World Congress Barcelona 2025, this mission aims to accelerate the evolution of 5G and pave the way for 6G advancements.
The 6GStarLab will enable researchers at i2CAT and its partners to test new technologies in orbit. The satellite’s experimental setup will focus on validating key elements of NTN, such as satellite infrastructure virtualization and the exploration of 6G communication frequencies using multi-frequency devices. Additionally, the satellite will be equipped with an optical terminal, enhancing communication between satellites and ground stations.
The satellite will function as an open, flexible testbed for remote deployments, offering a valuable platform for researchers and innovators. This unique laboratory will drive advancements in both space-based and terrestrial network integration, particularly as the space communications ecosystem grows.
Rafel Jordà Siquer, CEO of Open Cosmos, highlighted the importance of the project, stating, “We are proud to contribute to the development of 6GStarLab, a project that will place Catalonia and Europe at the forefront of space communications.” He emphasized the role of collaboration in pushing the boundaries of 6G development, which ties space technology to cutting-edge communications on Earth.
i2CAT has secured a €1.65 million public contract for Open Cosmos to design, manufacture, integrate, launch, and deploy the 6GStarLab satellite. This satellite will include payloads developed by i2CAT and partners such as Microwave Sensors and Electronics, and it will feature a space-to-ground optical communication laser terminal. Additionally, radio-frequency communication antennas from the NanoSatLab group at the Polytechnic University of Catalonia will be included.
The 6GStarLab satellite is scheduled for launch this October, with research operations slated to begin in early 2026. Prior to its launch, the satellite will undergo rigorous testing to ensure its functionality in space. Open Cosmos will also provide an engineering model of the satellite to i2CAT for preliminary testing in the lab.
Sergi Figuerola, Director of i2CAT, explained that the 6GStarLab will be a major milestone for European NTN research, providing a practical platform for testing crucial 6G technologies. The lab, funded by NextGenerationEU, will serve as an open resource for scientists and engineers to explore the future of satellite communications, in alignment with the European Space Agency’s 6G roadmap.
In addition to the 6GStarLab satellite, i2CAT has secured €10 million through Spain’s UNICO I+D 6G Program to fund multiple research laboratories, positioning Catalonia and Spain as leaders in the field of advanced communication technologies.
Image credit: Open Cosmos
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