- Airbus UpNext has launched a SpaceRAN demonstrator aimed at testing standardized 5G Non‑Terrestrial Network (NTN) connectivity directly from orbit.
- The plan starts with a ground testbed, followed by deploying a payload on an Airbus LEO satellite, aiming for launch in 2027 and testing during 2028.
- Aalyria is one of the tech partners providing software to orchestrate and optimize 5G NTN performance in real time.
Airbus is stepping up efforts to bring 5G performance to space-based networks. On January 14, 2026, Airbus UpNext unveiled “SpaceRAN,” a demonstrator designed to test standardized global 5G Non‑Terrestrial Network (NTN) connectivity. 1
This is crucial today as satellite connectivity expands rapidly, yet much of it remains trapped in closed ecosystems. Airbus is taking a different route: pushing for interoperability, standardization, and the vision that satellites should integrate seamlessly with wider space and ground networks—no need for custom glue code at every turn.
The company pitches 5G NTN as a versatile connectivity layer aimed at commercial, defense, and government sectors. If it delivers, “connectivity from orbit” might shift from a niche offering to a routine element of modern networks—only with a longer route through the atmosphere.
SpaceRAN’s standout feature lies in its software-defined satellite architecture, allowing in-orbit reprogramming from the ground. Airbus aims for the satellite to handle signal processing onboard rather than just acting as a relay, a move intended to reduce latency, boost throughput, and enable more intelligent routing and network management.
Airbus has outlined a two-stage plan: first, a ground-based setup simulating a two-satellite Low Earth Orbit (LEO) constellation to test beam management and satellite handovers. The second stage involves sending an in-orbit payload that will function as a 5G base station in space. This flight phase is targeted for launch in 2027, with in-orbit testing slated for 2028. 2
The partner lineup hints this goes beyond a simple satellite project. Airbus has assembled a consortium that covers telecom, satellite operators, test-and-measurement, and space hardware sectors. Big names like Deutsche Telekom, Eutelsat, Keysight Technologies, and Radisys appear alongside niche space networking experts.
Aalyria is one of the partners involved, bringing its 5G NTN RAN Intelligent Controller (RIC) called “Spacetime” to the table. This software is designed to manage and optimize radio and network resources on the fly as conditions shift. Chris Taylor, Aalyria’s CEO, described standardized 5G connectivity from space as “a critical next step for scaling Non‑Terrestrial Networks globally.” 3
On the policy and funding front, Airbus explains that SpaceRAN is advancing under the Air!5G initiative, backed by the French government via the France 2030 investment plan as part of a Future Networks strategy. They anticipate initial outcomes by 2028, framing the project as foundational work for 6G and aiming to cut costs for data transmission from lower Earth orbit down the line.
Airbus is making a clear case for an open, non-proprietary model, pitching SpaceRAN as a serious contender against locked-down satellite connectivity stacks. The firm and its collaborators are also building on previous efforts, such as an earlier 5G NTN demo using OneWeb satellites, detailed by Via Satellite.
Airbus sees the most immediate potential in aviation and public-sector communications. They argue that standardized NTN could streamline operations, enhance interoperability, and elevate passenger experiences. Additionally, it promises more robust and secure communications for government and military applications.
That said, it’s just a demonstrator, not a product you can buy yet—and there’s a lot that could go wrong. The launch scheduled for 2027 and testing in 2028 might get delayed. Plus, the promised technical performance won’t be validated until the hardware is actually in orbit. And “standardized” only counts if mobile operators, vendors, and regulators agree on real deployments instead of launching conflicting, incompatible versions.
Next up is seeing if the ground testbed can prove smooth handovers and steady routing in LEO-like environments—and if the 2027 in-orbit payload can actually deliver on the tougher goal: a genuine 5G base-station experience from space that integrates seamlessly with the broader network.
