6GStarLab: a small satellite that will function as the first European open 6G research laboratory

The research center i2CAT has announced within the framework of the Mobile World Congress Barcelona 2025 the launch of Europe's first low-Earth orbit (LEO) laboratory for non-terrestrial network (NTN) research and development.

This innovative mission will consist of a small satellite, called 6GStarLab, which will allow new communication technologies to be experimentally validated in a real environment in space and will contribute to the standardization of NTNs, essential for the evolution of advanced 5G and the future 6G.

6GStarLab will allow the research staff of the Catalan center and its ecosystem validate technological developments in orbit, accelerating research on satellite networks and their integration with terrestrial infrastructures. More specifically, the laboratory will allow the study and validation of virtualization techniques for satellite infrastructure and the 6G communication frequency evaluation with multi-frequency devices. In addition, the satellite will incorporate an optical terminal to accelerate satellite-ground communications in this domain. 6GStarLab will be an open and flexible testbed that will allow experiments to be deployed and executed remotely, promoting innovation in the emerging ecosystem that works for the interconnection between terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks.

At the presentation event held during MWC 2025, the Secretary of Telecommunications and Digital Transformation of the Generalitat of Catalonia, Albert Tort, highlighted that "with this laboratory in orbit, Catalonia is consolidating itself as a benchmark in research. This project not only promotes scientific innovation, but also generates opportunities for the technological and industrial ecosystem of our country. From the Government of Catalonia, we will continue to support initiatives like this, which combine cutting-edge research, public-private collaboration and real impact on society."

For his part, the director of i2CAT, Sergi Figuerola, stated that "6GStarLab represents a very relevant milestone for research in non-terrestrial networks at the European level since it provides a real infrastructure in space that will allow the validation of part of the key 6G technologies. This open laboratory, financed with NextGeneration funds, will mark a before and after in our environment in the research of satellite communications and its integration with terrestrial networks."

i2CAT plans to strengthen research in the fields of artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and the extension of connectivity through non-terrestrial networks, as well as the publication of research results for the scientific community. In addition, the 6GStarLab infrastructure will be available to the scientific and technological community interested in exploring and experimenting with the communications of the future, promoting the development of innovative solutions in different sectors and following the roadmap that the European Space Agency (ESA) is drawing up in the field of 6G.

Manufacture and launch of the satellite

i2CAT has awarded a public contract for a total value of 1.65 million euros to the company Open Cosmos for the design, manufacturing, integration, launch and commissioning of the 6GStarLab satellite. At the same time, the satellite will incorporate payloads designed by i2CAT and the Catalan company Microwave Sensors and Electronics (MWSE), developed through the 6GSatNet, as well as a space-ground optical communication laser terminal and the corresponding ground station from the company Transcelestial, based in Singapore. Finally, the set of antennas for radio frequency communications will be developed by a group from the NanoSat Lab of the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC). The satellite is scheduled to be launched in October of this year and put into operation for research purposes in early 2026.

Prior to launch, the satellite will undergo rigorous testing to ensure its correct operation in orbit. In addition, Open Cosmos will provide a representative engineering model of the satellite to i2CAT to validate laboratory experiments before its deployment in orbit.

"We are very proud to participate in the development of the 6GStarLab satellite, a project that will place Catalonia and Europe at the forefront of space communications. This project is a perfect example of how cooperation between companies, research centers and institutions can accelerate the development of 6G, placing the space segment at the center of advanced and secure communications for Earth," he said. Rafael Jordan, CEO of Open Cosmos.

The launch of this open laboratory in orbit has been possible thanks to the financing obtained by i2CAT in the call for the infrastructure and scientific-technical equipment subprogram aimed at universities and research centers, promoted by the Ministry for Digital Transformation and Public Service. This subprogram is part of the Universalization of Digital Infrastructures for Cohesion (UNICO) 6G R&D program, promoted by the Government of Spain within the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan and financed with NextGenerationEU funds, with the aim of consolidating Spanish leadership in advanced 5G and 6G research. In total, i2CAT has obtained 10 million euros from the infrastructure and scientific-technical equipment subprogram for the deployment of several laboratories.