en.Wedoany.com Reported - The North East Space Communications Accelerator (NESCA) in the UK has announced the results of its second round of innovation funding, allocating nearly £490,000 to 13 space communication and technology projects. The selected projects primarily come from Northumbria University, Newcastle University, and Durham University, covering research areas such as laser satellite communications, ground-to-space optical links, hybrid radio frequency and optical communication systems, launch vehicle communications, and satellite data applications.
NESCA is a regional innovation program for space communication technology in Northeast England. Through collaboration among universities, local institutions, and industry partners, the program aims to advance space communication technologies from early-stage research to prototype development and industry validation. All 13 funded projects include industry partners, indicating that the projects are not merely laboratory explorations but also emphasize alignment with business needs, engineering validation, and commercial application pathways.
In the field of laser communications, Dr. Amna Riaz from Northumbria University received over £64,000 to advance the "Gimbal-Stabilized Optical Communication" project. This project addresses the challenge of precise pointing in laser space communications by using a motorized mounting system to automatically adjust the laser beam direction, ensuring stable locking of the narrow beam between moving platforms such as satellites, drones, vehicles, or portable ground stations. The project will collaborate with OpenWorks Engineering, aiming to develop a flight-ready prototype.
Hybrid communication systems are also a key focus of this funding round. Dr. Nassima Khorchef from Northumbria University will partner with Filtronic to design a hybrid radio frequency and optical communication system for CubeSat constellations. This technical approach combines laser optical links with RF backup links, offering small satellite operators a more cost-controllable and engineering-validated inter-satellite connection solution. For small satellite constellations, hybrid links help balance high-bandwidth transmission and link reliability.
Ground-to-space optical link testing capabilities are also included in the funding scope. Dr. Perrine Lognoné from Durham University will collaborate with Telespazio UK to build a test facility, using a 7-kilometer laser link on the Durham campus to simulate atmospheric disturbances that satellite signals encounter in real environments. This project can provide ground-based validation conditions for UK companies, enabling relevant communication equipment to undergo anti-turbulence performance testing and technology maturity enhancement before entering space.
Beyond space communication itself, the second round of NESCA projects also covers a range of extended applications. The project list includes autonomous computing for next-generation microsatellites, a multi-lander communication framework for JAXA's 2031 Mars exploration mission, reliable communication modules for small launch vehicles, and a digital twin system for crop monitoring integrating satellite imagery, radar, and meteorological data. These directions indicate that space communication capabilities are forming closer connections with remote sensing, agriculture, deep space exploration, and launch services.
This round of NESCA funding also reflects the construction strategy for the space industry cluster in Northeast England. The program is funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, with a total budget of £2.6 million over four years. Participants include Northumbria University, Durham University, Newcastle University, the North East Combined Authority, Space North East England, the North East Space Leadership Group, and 14 industry partners. Through phased funding rounds, NESCA aims to continuously cultivate regional space communication technology and talent foundations.
Space communication is evolving from traditional RF links toward optical communications, hybrid links, and intelligent networks. Laser communication offers high bandwidth, low probability of interception, and stronger anti-jamming potential, but also faces challenges such as precise pointing, atmospheric disturbances, platform attitude changes, and engineering costs. The concentration of these 13 projects on laser links, optical link testing, and hybrid communication systems indicates that UK regional innovation funds are being deployed around these key bottlenecks.
Future observation will focus on project prototype development, industry partner validation, flight test preparation, and subsequent funding continuity. If these projects can progress from the laboratory stage to deployable equipment and commercial testing, Northeast England is expected to establish clearer regional technological advantages in laser space communications, inter-satellite links, and ground-based optical communication testing capabilities.
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