NPL collaborates with Eutelsat OneWeb on ultra-precise timing for ESA Sunrise satellite project.

3 minute read 

NPL is working with Eutelsat OneWeb, the broadband satellite internet services company, to provide ultra-precise time signals for orbiting satellites in use for the Sunrise Partnership Program, the joint initiative between the European Space Agency and the Eutelsat Group to provide high-speed satellite connectivity and coverage across Europe.  

OneWeb satellites will use time signals from NPL’s National Timing Centre (NTC) programme, the UK’s only nationally distributed time infrastructure that provides secure, reliable, resilient and highly accurate time and frequency data. Timing signals from the NTC’s three Innovation Nodes at the University of Strathclyde, University of Surrey and University of Cranfield, will transmit to OneWeb’s own ground-based timing nodes to collect data and measure the timing outputs of OneWeb’s timing receiver against Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) as defined by NPL.  

NPL is working with OneWeb on accessing signals traceable to UTC(NPL) which feed into the ground segment, as well as obtain the achievable performance for the Gen2 network synchronisation. The aim is to have Gen2 satellites offering additional communications services and as well as carrying navigation payloads. 

Ali Ashkhasi, Senior Scientist, at NPL, said: “In R&D and many other sectors, precise timing and synchronisation are fundamental elements in ensuring that experiments, communications, navigation and mission operations are accurate, efficient, and safe. We are proud to contribute to the OneWeb and Sunrise projects through two timing innovation nodes at the University of Surrey and Cranfield University, helping to develop the next generation of constellations.” 

Cyrus Larijani, Strategic Business Development Manager, at NPL said: “Accurate timing is critical in enabling the space industry to develop and use new technologies with confidence. We’re delighted to be supporting OneWeb and the Sunrise project to deliver timing signals to stimulate the technological development for next-generation satellite constellation.”  

Read more about our innovation nodes