Satellites to Smartphones: Europe's New Space Race

In the world of tech, big things are happening in space. A company based in Luxembourg, known for its work with small satellites, has just secured a massive €17. 5 million boost from the European Union. This funding is part of a bigger plan to connect smartphones directly to satellites. Imagine being able to make calls or send messages from anywhere on Earth, even the most remote places. The company has already made some progress. They've launched 10 low Earth orbit satellites that can connect to regular IoT devices. These devices are used for monitoring and tracking. The company is also working on a way to connect standard smartphones from space. This is a big challenge because it requires more satellite power and dealing with something called the Doppler effect. The European Innovation Council (EIC) is backing this venture with a €2. 5 million grant and up to €15 million in equity financing. This funding is part of the company's Series B round, which aims to raise between €35-40 million. The Luxembourg government is also supporting this round.The company has already done some successful tests for its upgraded payload in a testbed representative environment. The first satellite for this new project is expected to be ready for launch in 2026. This company is not alone in the race to connect the world via space. Big players like Starlink, based in the U. S. , are already testing their services. But this Luxembourg-based company sees an opportunity to lead Europe's innovation in this emerging sector. Analysts are excited about the potential of space-based services. They predict a market worth up to $100 billion. This market could help bridge connectivity gaps in areas where traditional cellular towers can't reach. Imagine being able to stay connected no matter where you are on the planet. The challenge is big, but the potential is even bigger. This company is taking on technical, financial, and regulatory hurdles to make this dream a reality. It's a race to the future, and Europe is in the game.