5G-STARDUST’s ambition is to deliver a fully integrated 5G-NTN autonomous system with novel self-adapting end-to-end connectivity models for enabling ubiquitous radio access.

To this aim, the project will design, develop, and demonstrate a flexible satellite system integrated with the terrestrial infrastructure by means of self-organised network architecture, and will deliver an innovative framework to support the operation of multi-orbit constellations, with transparent and regenerative space nodes, to deliver 5G/6G NTN services.

5G-STARDUST positions itself in the worldwide 5G/6G ecosystem timeline development, both from the standardization and market perspective. 

From the global standardization perspective, 5G-STARDUST results are planned to support Non-Terrestrial Network inclusion in the 3GPP Release 19 on the basis of the results of Release 18 and to influence initiation of activities in 3GPP Release 20 and 21.

diagram showing 5G-STARDUST's envisioned deployment structure

Project Objectives

The main goal of 5G-STARDUST is to design, develop and demonstrate a deeper integration of TN and NTN. To realise its ambitious goal, the project will pursue the following specific objectives:

  • Study, design, develop a 5G-based satellite network, implementing onboard processing and storage capabilities towards effective networking and mobile computing in the sky.
  • Define, design data-driven management system components, building on AI/ML based solutions for resource allocation and service provision in highly dynamic integrated hybrid networks.
  • Design, implement, and demonstrate E2E services over a fully integrated TN-NTN advanced network architecture with regenerative space nodes.
  • Contribute to the development of a European Research and Technology roadmap to ensure strategic positioning and global competitiveness of Europe in integrated  TN-NTN communications.