ARTES benefits series – MRC-SAT, Real-Time Satellite Capacity Allocation • Nov 2025
The European Space Agency’s
Advanced Research in Telecommunications Systems (ARTES) programme helps turn
innovative concepts into commercial reality. MRC-SAT is bringing a new level of
flexibility to satellite communications by enabling operators to adjust network
capacity in real time to match changing demand.
The system, based on ST
Engineering iDirect’s Mx-DMA MRC technology, allows satellite capacity to be
dynamically shared among users, adapting instantly to variations in traffic.
This enables operators to serve a wider range of use cases with greater efficiency,
from broadband access and enterprise connectivity to cellular backhaul and
mobility services. By optimising bandwidth use, the technology reduces costs
while improving service quality for end users.
ESA’s collaboration with ST
Engineering has been very close, providing funding and expert guidance across
three consecutive projects – Mx-SAT, MRC-SAT, and MRC-100. ESA engineers worked
with the company to review designs, test concepts, and refine performance. This
iterative process de-risked the technology, accelerated its market readiness,
and expanded its applicability to a full spectrum of customer requirements.
The results demonstrate strong
commercial impact:
·
Technology fully patented and deployed globally
·
Sales to major operators including Eutelsat,
SES, and Intelsat
·
More than 100 systems delivered to service
providers worldwide
·
Contribution to the development of the EU
protected waveform, benefiting projects such as IRIS²
·
Partnership with Romanian company Lasting
Software for satellite cellular backhaul capabilities
By enabling flexible, real-time
capacity allocation, MRC-SAT helps operators maximise the value of their
satellite networks and adapt quickly to shifting market conditions. As the ST
Engineering team notes, “The introduction of (the product) answers the market’s
call for unprecedented service agility… expanding the applicability and use of
the technology to include a full spectrum of use cases.”
With proven performance in the
field and strong uptake from leading operators, MRC-SAT is setting a new
standard for efficiency and scalability in satellite communications.
Explore the full portfolio of ARTES case studies to see how ESA is enabling innovation, competitiveness, and socio-economic benefits across Europe’s space sector.
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