German Orbital Systems to deploy Neuraspace’s space traffic management for pilot satellite of ESA’s Celeste mission
- Satellite Evolution Group
- 3 hours ago
- 2 min read
CubeSat manufacturer German Orbital Systems has contracted Neuraspace to secure the 16U pilot satellite, Pathfinder A, of ESA’s upcoming Celeste In-Orbit Demonstration constellation for LEO-PNT (Low Earth Orbit Positioning, Navigation and Timing) with space traffic management (STM) capabilities.
As part of this STM service package, Neuraspace will provide real-time automated solutions for conjunction screening, analysis, and classification, as well as manoeuvring planning and optimisation. In addition, launch and early operations phase (LEOP) will be supported with GNSS data processing and dedicated tracking using the company's optical telescopes.
These services by Neuraspace will also contribute towards compliance to ESA’s space debris requirements, with the intention to control collision risk and prevent space debris release and proliferation.
Scheduled to be launched in the first quarter of 2026, the satellite will fly in LEO to demonstrate how PNT signals can ultimately provide guaranteed location accuracy, better signal robustness, increased resistance as well as faster signal acquisition.
Elena Eyngorn, CEO of GOS, said: “Being entrusted to build the in-orbit-demonstrator satellite platform for ESA’s Celeste constellation demands the best service for safeguarding this asset in space. With Neuraspace’s STM platform we can make sure we are receiving the most accurate information for space situational awareness (SSA), analytics and manoeuvre advice right from the start and to the very end of this great mission.”
Chiara Manfletti, CEO of Neuraspace, said: “This latest partnership at a European level reflects the growing trust in Neuraspace’s capabilities within the space industry. It also signifies the growing demand for more resilient and precise navigation solutions in Europe requiring ongoing secure satellite operations and navigation.”
Celeste is the LEO-PNT Component of the ESA’s FutureNAV programme, and consists of two parallel contracts. Neuraspace and GOS are within the Thales Alenia Space consortium with Thales Alenia Space France as prime contractor and Thales Alenia Space Italy as Space Segment responsible. This demonstrator will enable new and support existing applications in the field of navigation such as high-level autonomous cars, including persistent coverage in dense urban areas, unmanned aerial and maritime vehicles, or 5G/6G ground telecommunication network synchronisation.
It also aims to bring essential environmental benefits such as reduced CO2 emissions through fuel saving, and a more efficient energy networks. And it will assess how a low Earth orbit fleet can work in combination with Galileo and other satellite navigation systems.