FOSSA Systems will contribute its software-defined radio, IoT and satellite expertise to PELICAN, a mission concept and feasibility study led by ARQUIMEA, with INTEGRASYS, SYNAPTYX, HYDRA, and FOSSA Systems as part of the consortium, exploring Low-LEO connectivity technologies for future compatibility with the European Commission’s IRIS² secure connectivity program.
IRIS2 Signature Event at ESAC – Credit: ESA
Europe’s connectivity needs are shifting fast, and the space infrastructure behind them has to keep pace. IRIS² was conceived to give Europe secure, resilient, sovereign connectivity from orbit, and initiatives like PELICAN are how that ambition gets tested before it gets built. The feasibility study looks at how a Low-LEO layer could extend and strengthen what IRIS² is designed to deliver.
At the center of PELICAN is a single SDR hardware and software core built to serve multiple mission types from one flexible platform, including direct-to-device (D2D) communications, IoT connectivity, and spectrum monitoring, for civil, commercial, and defense applications. FOSSA is contributing to this architecture, helping enable one satellite concept to support such a broad range of uses without multiplying hardware.
As part of the study, FOSSA will also help define a use case focused on satellite-enabled monitoring and connectivity for remote assets and strategic infrastructure, extending its SDR expertise into a concrete application for protecting the systems that matter most.
The Need for Sovereign and Secure Connectivity
FOSSA is also bringing spread spectrum technologies, such as LoRa and LR-FHSS, into the proposal as a complement to 3GPP standards. The result is a multi-frequency approach that extends beyond the traditional 2 GHz spectrum, broadening the range of bands the system can operate across.
In addition, FOSSA will provide geolocation of RF signals, adding a positioning layer to its monitoring capabilities and reinforcing the mission’s relevance.
“Space is evolving rapidly, and Europe needs to evolve with it. Low-LEO provides the opportunity to explore new ideas and capabilities, test them in practice and learn from the results. This ability to innovate, adapt and build on experience will be essential as we develop the next generation of secure and resilient connectivity for Europe. We look forward to continuing to work hand-in-hand with the European Commission and industry on the future of IRIS²,” said Laurent Jaffart, Director of ESA’s Resilience, Navigation and Connectivity.
“This feasibility study is a chance to prove that one flexible SDR platform can genuinely serve IoT, direct-to-device and protected communications at once. Combining spread spectrum technologies with 3GPP standards is exactly the kind of multi-frequency approach Europe needs for a resilient, sovereign Low-LEO layer,” said Julian Fernandez, CEO and Co-Founder of FOSSA Systems.
With PELICAN, FOSSA reinforces its position as a leading European player in SDR-based satellite connectivity, contributing to the technical groundwork for a future full-scale constellation compatible with IRIS² and other GEO/MEO/LEO systems.
About FOSSA
FOSSA Systems is a global (Madrid, Lisbon, Tokyo) NewSpace company building satellite intelligence and connectivity infrastructure for a smarter, more connected planet. With over 26 satellites launched and a team of 60+ people across Madrid and Lisbon, FOSSA develops satellite IoT connectivity, RF detection, and satellite manufacturing capabilities for commercial and defence customers worldwide.