ESA awards Keysight and Sateliot a 3-year blockchain NTN program

Keysight Technologies (NYSE: KEYS) has been selected by the European Space Agency (ESA) to lead a three-year program to develop a blockchain-enabled security framework for 5G non-terrestrial networks (NTN). Sateliot will serve as a collaborator on technical development and satellite mission integration, according to a press release from Keysight.

The program is funded under ESA's Advanced Research in Telecommunications Systems (ARTES), specifically within its Space for 5G/6G and Sustainable Connectivity program line. Keysight will act as prime contractor.

The project aims to establish a verifiable trust framework for NTN environments by applying blockchain, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and digital calibration certificates across the full NTN lifecycle, from satellite manufacturing and calibration to in-orbit operation and service delivery.

Development is expected to progress from laboratory research and prototyping to a full in-orbit demonstration. The program is designed to address anomaly detection, operational security, spoofing, and tampering risks in networks that combine satellites, ground systems, and terrestrial 5G infrastructure.

Antonio Franchi, Head of the Space for 5G/6G and Sustainable Connectivity programme at ESA, said: "The future of Europe's connectivity depends on networks that are not only advanced, but trusted, resilient and secure."

Eric Taylor, Vice President, Aerospace, Defense and Government Solutions at Keysight, said the initiative aims to demonstrate "how trust can be embedded across the full NTN lifecycle — from design and validation through in-orbit operation."

Albert Pujol, Chief Innovation Officer at Sateliot, said the program aims to create "a transparent validation layer that allows massive IoT networks to scale globally while consistently ensuring security and performance."

You May Also Be Interested In

• Alphabet Sees FY26 Capex $195B To $205B, Saw $180B To $190B
• Signature Resources clarifies private placement terms, raises $609,000
• Dexcom selected as first participant in FDA's TEMPO pilot