Kepler wins €18.6M ESA HydRON Element 3 prime contract
85 FOMOThe European Space Agency selected Kepler Communications as prime contractor for HydRON Element 3. The €18.6 million program will deliver a hosted-payload mission using a standard Kepler-built satellite with multiple European optical communication terminals. The mission will test interoperability between optical communication systems and support real-time space-domain-awareness services. European suppliers and technology partners will contribute terminals and hosted payloads.
Why it matters
This award strengthens Kepler's position in Europe's emerging sovereign optical communications infrastructure. Being selected as prime contractor rather than merely supplying connectivity gives the company a larger role in system integration and future network architecture.
The numbers
The €18.6M award builds on Kepler's role as prime contractor for HydRON Element 1.
SourceDetails
Funding
- Currency
- EUR
- Contract value
- 18,600,000
Coverage
-
Kepler Communications ·
Kepler Selected as Prime for European Space Agency’s HydRON Element 3Kepler was selected as prime contractor for Element 3 of the European Space Agency's HydRON high-throughput optical network project. The €18.6 million award covers a hosted-payload mission using a Kepler-built satellite equipped with multiple European optical communication terminals. Partners include Vyoma, TESAT, Mbryonics and Astrolight, with the mission intended to demonstrate interoperability and support space-domain-awareness services.
AI-assisted summary of 1 report; numbers link to their source. Spot an error? Tell us.
More from Kepler Communications
- Kepler Communications · Milestone 60
Axiom confirms two operational orbital computing nodes aboard Kepler satellites
- Kepler Communications · Partnership 33
Kepler secures launch capacity for 10 Tranche 2 satellites on Portal's Motus Via Sol
- Kepler Communications · Partnership 46
Kepler and NorthStar agree to host space-domain-awareness sensors on Kepler satellites
- Kepler Communications · Milestone 85
Kepler brings its first commercial optical data relay constellation into service
- Kepler Communications · Partnership 70
Kepler selects Rocket Lab Neutron for its first dedicated satellite launch
- Kepler Communications · Milestone 83
Kepler commissions NVIDIA-powered distributed orbital computing
Related moments
- Mynaric · Contract 49
Mynaric wins ESA HydRON optical communications demonstration project
- Rivada Space Networks · Partnership 49
Rivada partners with Telespazio Brasil to provide secure Outernet connectivity
- Open Cosmos · Funding 95
Open Cosmos raises €300 million to scale European satellite infrastructure
- Open Cosmos · Contract 78
Open Cosmos selected for the UK's £8 billion Tactical Communication System framework
- LeoLabs · Contract 85
LeoLabs wins $20.68 million U.S. Space Force prototype agreement for Scout radar defense testing
- Rivada Space Networks · Partnership 37
ZHARYQ Kazakhstan partners with Rivada to distribute Outernet connectivity across Central Asia
Veenie.Space Telemetry
The European Space Agency selected Kepler Communications as prime contractor for HydRON Element 3. T