Home / Technology / Ground Systems Evolve: AI, Cloud, and 5G Unite Satellites
Ground Systems Evolve: AI, Cloud, and 5G Unite Satellites
11 Dec
Summary
- Proprietary systems and slow refresh cycles are no longer sustainable for competition.
- 5G NTN and AI breakthroughs enable seamless satellite and terrestrial network integration.
- Nations seek sovereign space capabilities through balanced domestic development and partnerships.
The ground segment of the space industry is undergoing a significant transformation, moving away from proprietary hardware and long refresh cycles. This evolution is driven by the need for greater interoperability and cloud-native infrastructure, with AI playing a crucial role in network management. The industry is shifting towards a standards-driven ecosystem to foster collaboration and avoid fragmentation.
Recent technological advancements, particularly in 5G NTN and AI, have paved the way for unprecedented integration. Demonstrations show non-3GPP satellite networks operating seamlessly with 5G Core, validating a hybrid 5G NTN strategy. AI-driven analytics are providing real-time network insights, enabling predictive issue resolution and fundamentally changing network management.
Discussions around sovereignty are reshaping the satellite communications landscape, with nations actively securing control over their infrastructure. The future emphasizes a balanced approach, combining domestic development, commercial procurement, and coalition partnerships to build resilient and interoperable sovereign capabilities. ST Engineering iDirect anticipates a year of delivery in 2026, with its cloud-native ground system and AI platform reaching full operational maturity, accelerating 5G NTN integration across diverse markets.
