June 2026 · ESA OSIP Discovery & Preparation

BeamGrid™ Technologies Ltd is pleased to announce that it has secured European Space Agency (ESA) funding under the Open Space Innovation Platform (OSIP) Discovery & Preparation programme.

ESA-supported direct-to-device antenna development

The funded activity advances BeamGrid™’s work on advanced smartphone antenna technology for non-terrestrial network (NTN) direct-to-device connectivity. The objective is to help enable reliable satellite voice, data and video connectivity through a compact antenna system suitable for integration into a mass-market mobile handset.

The programme brings together BeamGrid™’s expertise in RF engineering, antenna design, reconfigurable architectures and AI-assisted electromagnetic optimisation. The work is focused on creating a defensible engineering foundation for future prototype validation and partner engagement.

Project focus

Compact antenna architectures for NTN direct-to-device smartphone connectivity.
Advanced RF performance across relevant L/S-band satellite communication frequencies.
Reconfigurable and intelligently optimised antenna operation within a handset footprint.
Engineering analysis of link performance, integration, user interaction, SAR and EMC considerations.

Why this matters

Satellite direct-to-device services are expanding the role of the mobile handset beyond terrestrial coverage. The antenna remains one of the most demanding parts of this transition because it must operate within severe size, thickness, power, user-hand and mechanical-integration constraints.

BeamGrid™’s work addresses this challenge through first-principles antenna engineering and a focused development path from early technology research toward prototype-ready evidence.

Official ESA source

The announcement and public activity description are available in the official ESA Activities Platform record:

View the official ESA activity record

About BeamGrid™ Technologies

BeamGrid™ Technologies Ltd is a UK deep-tech company developing intelligent RF infrastructure for connectivity, sensing and energy across space, air and structures.

Learn more about BeamGrid™’s 5G/6G NTN technology programme or meet Vedaprabhu Basavarajappa, Founder and CEO.