Filtronic wins significant contract with European Space Agency

Aerospace, defence and telecoms technology specialist Filtronic announced a significant contract win with the European Space Agency (ESA) on Friday, to develop advanced space payload communication systems for future space missions.

The AIM-traded company said that under the ESA's Advanced Research and Telecommunications Systems (ARTES) programme for ‘Space Deployment of 5G/6G and Sustainable Connectivity’, it was awarded a €3.7m (£3.2m) contract.

It said the primary objective of the contract would be to develop a series of mmWave products that would enable broadband connectivity from low earth orbit (LEO) satellites to ground stations, addressing growing demand for ultra-high bandwidth data links in space communications.

The contract started immediately, with Filtronic set to embark on the development of design concepts and prototypes during the current financial year.

Filtronic said the final hardware deliverable was expected by 31 March 2025, aligning with its business forecast for the 2024 financial year.

“We are delighted to work with ESA on this important development at the leading edge of LEO space communications,” said chief executive officer Richard Gibbs.

“The LEO space market is developing fast and the need for higher bandwidth links between satellites and the ground station is inevitable.

“Working with ESA to develop products at multiple frequencies, that can be supplied as part of next generation LEO constellations, is both timely and strategically important for Filtronic.”

At 1539 BST, shares in Filtronic were up 8.06% at 16.75p.

Reporting by Josh White for Sharecast.com.