Irish space technology company Celtonn has secured a prestigious European Space Agency (ESA) contract to develop advanced semiconductor hardware for next-generation satellite missions.

The project is funded under ESA’s ARTES 4.0 Core Competitiveness Advanced Technology programme, which supports innovation in satellite communications across Europe and Canada.

As the project lead, Celtonn will develop a high-linearity, low-noise amplifier (LNA) for V-band feeder uplink—a key enabler for next-generation satellite communication payloads. The technology aims to deliver low-latency, high-performance data transmission, a significant advancement for space-based connectivity.

V-band satellite components are drawing increasing global interest, with companies such as SpaceX and Starlink already incorporating this frequency into their systems. The release of higher frequency bands for commercial and terrestrial use by regulatory bodies has further accelerated this trend. As the satellite industry expands rapidly, forecasts suggest there could be as many as 60,000 active satellites in orbit by 2030.

The ARTES programme aims to strengthen the competitiveness of European and Canadian industry by supporting advanced telecommunications technologies.

Speaking on behalf of Enterprise Ireland, Conor Sheehan, Irish Delegation to ESA, commented:

‘’Ireland’s space sector is growing rapidly, and this project highlights the world-class manufacturing capabilities of Irish companies. Celtonn’s work on this advanced V-band technology strengthens Ireland’s position in the global space economy and reflects the kind of high-impact innovation that Enterprise Ireland and ESA seek to support.”

Marie Bourke, CEO of Celtonn, added:

“Ireland has a global reputation for innovation, and we’re proud to be at the forefront of developing next-generation hardware solutions for the space industry. Our work with ESA ensures we are building technology capable of meeting the data demands of tomorrow’s interconnected world.”

This collaboration with ESA underscores Celtonn’s technical leadership and marks a significant step forward in the evolution of satellite communications infrastructure. By enhancing the bandwidth and reliability of space-based systems, Celtonn is helping to pave the way for seamless global connectivity.

About Celtonn

Celtonn is a cutting-edge Irish technology company founded in 2023 by a seasoned team with deep roots in Silicon Valley innovation. The company specialize in the design, testing, and manufacturing of high-performance, dual-use millimeter wave semiconductors for global commercial markets. Celtonn’s products power the next generation of ultra-fast, high-frequency connectivity—laying the foundation for the evolution toward 6G communications.

About the European Space Agency

The European Space Agency (ESA) is Europe’s gateway to space. Its mission is to shape the development of Europe’s space capability and ensure that investment in space continues to deliver benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world.

ESA is an international organisation with 22 Member States. By coordinating the financial and intellectual resources of its members, it can undertake programmes and activities far beyond the scope of any single European country.