OHB awarded ESA contract for V2X mission

Bremen, September 3, 2024. Automotive goes to space: OHB System AG, a subsidiary of the technology group OHB SE, has been awarded a contract by the European Space Agency (ESA) as prime contractor for the “V2X (vehicle-to-everything) - services demonstration over satellite” project. The activity is supported by the German Aerospace Center DLR. The purpose of the project is to demonstrate how uninterrupted communications for passenger cars can be ensured by incorporating satellites in existing 5G terrestrial networks.

The V2X technology and service demonstration mission is intended to show the advantages of an integrated terrestrial/non-terrestrial network and to advance the technology for future industrialization. Potential test areas include autonomous driving, remote vehicle access and breakdown calls. The project consortium is made up of Fraunhofer-Institut für Integrierte Schaltungen IIS, MediaMobil Communication GmbH, Deutsche Telekom Business Solutions GmbH, jember GmbH and BMW AG as an associated partner. OHB is responsible for project management and the system architecture. The mission is being funded by ESA’s Space for 5G/6G & Sustainable Connectivity, an Advanced Research in Telecommunications Systems programme line within ESA’s Connectivity and Secure Communications directorate.

The combination makes the difference

Anyone who is on a business trip by car will know the situation: you want to use car features like navigation or remote control, make a phone or teams call and you perceive disruption from the service. This should not have happened if a satellite system had been integrated. In combination with the terrestrial networks the satellite network can provide cellular coverage also in very sparsely and even unpopulated areas where users do not want to waive from connectivity.

The opportunities and prospects of using satellite systems for the automotive industry are now to be demonstrated in the V2X mission. “V2X is a perfect fit for our vision of a connected, autonomous future. We are delighted to be the prime for this transformative project. By integrating satellites in terrestrial 5G networks, we will be able to deliver modern applications that can reshape the automotive and mobility landscape in the future. Satellite communications are essential for achieving secure and uninterrupted communications,” says Ariane Wyen, Director of Technology Development Projects for Telecom, Navigation and Defense at OHB System AG.

The consortium aims not only at enhancing car connectivity but also at exploiting automotive and space networks synergies to offer vanguard services to the customers. In the future cars could, for example, provide data on air pollution or road conditions and send this information back to the network as input for appropriate measures. The V2X mission will thus drive innovation in the automotive and telecommunications sectors and also position German industry at the forefront, according to Ariane Wyen: “The project also demonstrates German technological leadership in space telecommunications. It will strengthen Europe’s position in the global race to deploy non-terrestrial networks, enlarging the 5G/6G coverage to provide truly ubiquitous connectivity.”

“The V2X mission exemplifies ESA's commitment to leveraging space technology for terrestrial innovation. By integrating satellite communications with 5G networks, we're paving the way for seamless connectivity that will transform the automotive industry and beyond,“ said Laurent Jaffart, ESA Director of Connectivity and Secure Communications.

About ESA’s Space for 5G/6G & Sustainable Connectivity programme

Part of Advanced Research in Telecommunications Systems (ARTES), the Space for 5G/6G & Sustainable Connectivity strategic programme line is advancing 5G and 6G technologies to support the digital transformation of Europe by integrating satellite and ground networks. This fusion of terrestrial (TN) and non-terrestrial networks (NTN) will revolutionise how we live, work and communicate in terms of smart mobility, global coverage, security and network resilience. The programme aims to promote the standardisation of seamless global connectivity for various industries and applications, including telemedicine, tele-education, and autonomous vehicles, airplanes and ships.  
The flagship ECSAT 5G/6G Hub (UK), created with CGI and the UK Space Agency, is a centre for innovation and demonstration, tailored to meet the growing demands of stakeholders such as operators, technology and service providers, and applications developers. The ESTEC Telecom 5G/6G Lab (Netherlands) features a variety of testing facilities for TN/NTN and offers a collaborative space for industry partners. Learn more.