A new chapter is beginning in Hungary’s space industry and telecommunications technology with the launch of the RAVEN (Resilient Access Validation for Evolving NTN) satellite project, a strategic initiative led by a Hungarian consortium, officials announced on Thursday in Budapest.
According to Szabolcs Szolnoki, Deputy State Secretary responsible for technology, the space industry and the defence industry at the Ministry for National Economy, the project marks a significant milestone for Hungary’s role in the rapidly evolving global space communications sector.
The project is being implemented under the national ARTES (Advanced Research in Telecommunications Systems) Call in Hungary programme, launched in 2025 by the European Space Agency in cooperation with the ministry. The initiative focuses on satellite services and next-generation telecommunications technologies, including 5G and 6G.
Szolnoki said the project aligns closely with global industry efforts aimed at integrating terrestrial and space-based communication networks. The RAVEN initiative will be carried out entirely through cooperation between Hungarian industrial and academic partners, with the consortium led by C3S Ltd.
He emphasized that the project reflects several key priorities of the ministry, including the rapid development of Hungary’s domestic space industry. C3S, he noted, has grown from a university spin-off startup into an internationally recognized company in the sector.
Another important aspect of the initiative is the involvement of new players in the Hungarian space ecosystem. Among the partners are Molaris Ltd and Óbuda University, while cooperation with a major Hungarian multinational telecommunications company is also under preparation.
According to Szolnoki, the development strengthens Hungary’s position in the global space communications and telecommunications ecosystem and demonstrates that the country’s engineering and research capabilities are competitive internationally. The project will enable the integration of terrestrial and non-terrestrial communication systems, which could have important socio-economic benefits.
Gyula Horváth, chief executive of C3S, said the company will be responsible for the system design, development and integration of an 8U CubeSat satellite, as well as mission planning and satellite operations. The company currently employs nearly 70 staff, including about 60 engineers.
The mission will focus on Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN) technology defined in 5G standards. This technology represents a major innovation in communications, allowing users of terrestrial public mobile networks to connect via base stations located in space.
Such systems can complement traditional ground-based networks in areas where coverage is limited or where building infrastructure would be economically unfeasible. This capability could prove especially valuable in remote regions, during natural disasters, and in supporting future autonomous systems.
The project is scheduled to begin in 2026, with the satellite expected to be launched into orbit in 2028. Once deployed, demonstration experiments involving 5G and 6G NTN communications will begin in space.
According to project leaders, RAVEN could enable Hungary to play an active role in shaping the development of satellite-based 5G technologies. The results may also contribute internationally to the standardization and industrial adoption of NTN solutions.
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