Explore Celeste Technologies' achievements in satellite communications
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10.09.2026
Celeste Technologies is developing SmartgNB, a software-defined gNB for Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN), extending 5G communications into space. Before market deployment, Celeste collaborated with HWG Sababa on advanced product security testing combining secure code review, threat modeling, and fuzz testing.
The project identified and prioritized resolution to security weaknesses, improved software resilience, and helped embed secure development practices into future product releases – strengthening Celeste’s secure-by-design approach before commercial launch and supporting its readiness for future operator and institutional engagements.
To reach beyond traditional terrestrial boundaries and unlock new use cases, telecommunications standards are actively incorporating satellite communications into the 5G ecosystem. By bringing satellite networks directly into 3GPP specifications, the industry is creating a unified framework designed to deliver resilient connectivity to remote and mission-critical regions, complementing existing Terrestrial Networks infrastructure.
To power this expansion, Celeste Technologies, an Italian deep-tech company, develops fully software-defined 5G infrastructure tailored for spaceborne networks. Its flagship solution, SmartgNB, is a virtualized 5G base station (gNodeB) software stack designed to extend standard, 3GPP-compliant mobile communications into satellite environments.
Unlike traditional telecom infrastructures that rely on tightly integrated hardware and software platforms, Celeste’s software-defined approach enables greater flexibility, scalability, and interoperability across next-generation satellite networks.
Operating at the intersection of telecommunications and space technologies, the company is helping shape a new generation of satellite connectivity services while addressing the unique technical challenges of deploying critical communications infrastructure in space.
For Celeste Technologies, the challenge was not simply developing a new telecommunications solution. It was demonstrating that a young company operating in an emerging market could deliver technology aligned with the expectations of future operators, institutional stakeholders, and critical communications environments.
Because the platform is intended for satellite-based infrastructure, security, resilience, and reliability had to be considered from the beginning of development rather than addressed later through compliance initiatives or customer requests.
Security in a Space Environment. Systems deployed on satellites cannot be physically accessed or repaired, requiring high levels of reliability and resilience from the outset.
Real-Time Performance Constraints. The platform operates in a real-time environment with strict latency requirements, limiting the ability to introduce heavy security controls without affecting performance.
Complex, Multi-Interface Architecture. Multiple communication and control interfaces expand the potential attack surface and require careful security validation.
Balancing Innovation and Security. As a fast-growing company with strong R&D capabilities, Celeste needed to align rapid development cycles with secure coding practices and long-term product robustness.
“We knew from the beginning that cybersecurity had to be a priority. We are developing critical telecommunications infrastructure, and we wanted security to be part of the product roadmap from the outset – rather than retrofitted in response to market demand.”
To address these challenges, Celeste Technologies collaborated with HWG Sababa to conduct advanced penetration testing of its software-defined 5G NTN gNB. The engagement focused on validating the security and resilience of a highly complex codebase comprising millions of lines of code and implementing advanced telecommunications protocols based on international 3GPP standards.
To provide both architectural and implementation-level assurance, the assessment combined three complementary activities:
Secure Code Review
A detailed review of the platform’s source code identified vulnerabilities, insecure coding patterns, and opportunities to strengthen software resilience while preserving performance requirements.
Threat Modeling
The system architecture and interfaces were analyzed to identify potential attack vectors, evaluate exposure points, and prioritize mitigation efforts.
Fuzz Testing
A dedicated testing environment was created to evaluate how the platform responded to unexpected or malformed inputs, helping uncover weaknesses that could affect stability, reliability, or security.
Scope of Testing
“It was truly a collaborative effort. HWG Sababa quickly grasped the key aspects of our technology, providing actionable insights, analyses and recommendations that immediately strengthened both our product and our development processes.”
The engagement delivered immediate security improvements while helping Celeste strengthen its long-term product development strategy, reduce risk before commercial deployment, and increase readiness for future market opportunities.
Security Improvements
The assessment identified more than 20 security areas of improvement across the platform, including 8 vulnerabilities validated as exploitable in a running environment. These findings provided Celeste with a prioritized remediation roadmap, enabling the engineering team to address critical risks early in the product lifecycle and further strengthen the security of its software-defined NTN gNB.
Stronger Development Practices
The findings and recommendations helped Celeste refine its engineering approach and reinforce secure coding principles across the development lifecycle. Security testing became more closely integrated into product development activities, reducing the likelihood of recurring issues in future releases.
Internal Capability Building
In addition to identifying vulnerabilities, HWG Sababa provided methodologies, testing approaches, and practical guidance that can be incorporated into Celeste’s internal validation processes. This knowledge transfer helped establish a foundation for continuous security testing as the platform continues to evolve.
Strategic Readiness
By addressing security early in the product lifecycle, Celeste strengthened its ability to demonstrate a proactive and mature approach to cybersecurity. The project enhanced the company’s readiness for future engagements with telecommunications operators, institutional organizations, and other stakeholders operating in critical communications environments, where security and resilience are key evaluation criteria.
The engagement also helped Celeste demonstrate that cybersecurity is embedded into the product development process – an important factor in building trust with future customers, operators, and ecosystem partners.
As the platform continues to evolve, Celeste is evaluating the implementation of continuous fuzz testing capabilities and additional security validation activities to support product resilience, scalability, and deployment readiness.
"The value extended beyond simply identifying and resolving vulnerabilities. We strengthened our development process, equipping our team with tools and methodologies that scale as the product evolves. We didn’t just receive a checklist of fixes – we have improved our cybersecurity practices and built them into our engineering culture and long-term product roadmap."
26.02.2026
Celeste Technologies today announced the successful completion of a 5G NR-NTN interoperability test campaign at the Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. laboratories in Lannion, France, marking a significant milestone with Sateliot's Payload for the sovereign European low-Earth orbit (LEO) direct-to-device (D2D) constellation.
Successful NTN Interoperability Campaign
The joint campaign focused on 3GPP Release 17 Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN), validating end-to-end interoperability between Celeste’s SmartgNB and a mobile test device powered by Qualcomm® 5G Modem-RF. Tests were executed using Celeste’s fully software-based SmartgNB running on a multi-core SoC platform, without hardware acceleration, in combination with a Keysight Propsim channel emulator and a Mobile Test Platform (MTP) from Qualcomm Technologies.
The trials successfully covered GEO and LEO scenarios, both transparent and regenerative payload profiles, demonstrating that Celeste’s gNB can interoperate with Qualcomm Technologies’ NTN-capable device stack under realistic satellite conditions. The tests successfully achieved end-to-end traffic between the SmartgNB and the MTP, validating complete protocol stack functionality. This activity took place within Sateliot’s broader initiative to develop a European LEO constellation for 5G NR-NTN D2D services in S-band.
Celeste’s SmartgNB is a fully softwarized, 3GPP Release 17–compliant gNB protocol stack designed for regenerative satellite payloads and on-board processing. The solution runs entirely in software from Layer 1 to Layer 3, with CU/DU splits and platform independence across x86, ARM, and RISC-V CPU architectures.
By demonstrating efficient operation on an SoC without hardware accelerators, the test campaign confirms the suitability of SmartgNB for integration into next-generation regenerative payloads and multi-operator LEO constellations.
Sateliot is deploying a LEO-based 5G NR-NTN payload in S-band, the corresponding space platform and the software ground segment, designed to provide reliable, continuous coverage and low-latency connectivity for IoT and D2D communication scenarios. This new 5G NR-NTN constellation will complement Sateliot’s existing NB-IoT NTN service, adding capabilities tailored to automotive, civil security, and defense use cases where 5G NR is the appropriate radio interface.
With an always-on, fully connected constellation including inter-satellite links and a proprietary ground-station network, Sateliot aims to be a key European player for discretionary services and sovereignty in security and defense communications.
“This successful 5G NR-NTN interoperability test demonstrates the maturity of a standards-based, direct-to-device ecosystem. Conducted in our Lannion labs with Celeste and Sateliot, it validates end‑to‑end performance and brings space‑based connectivity a step closer to commercial reality for IoT and D2D use cases across Europe,” said Francesco Grilli, Vice President, Product Management, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. “NTN interoperability campaign demonstrates the maturity of a standards-based, direct-to-device ecosystem, and Qualcomm Technologies remains committed to advancing NTN with our partners to complement terrestrial 5G with resilient, global coverage.”
“Celeste Tech. is extremely grateful to Qualcomm Technologies and Sateliot for a collaboration that is paving the way toward a fully European LEO infrastructure, in which Celeste is playing a fundamental role,” said Remo Ricci, CEO, Celeste Technologies. “We sincerely thank the Qualcomm Technologies teams in Lannion for their outstanding professionalism and support throughout the entire test campaign.”
“These tests clearly demonstrate the maturity and efficiency of Celeste’s technology,” said Alessandro Vanelli-Coralli, Scientific and Technical Advisor of Celeste Technologies. “Our SmartgNB runs efficiently on a computing platform ready to be integrated into next-generation regenerative payloads, and these tests prove that D2D constellations based on 3GPP standards and smart design are a reality.”
“This achievement is a key step in Sateliot’s roadmap to deliver a 5G NR-NTN constellation providing real-time, continuous coverage for IoT and D2D services, including demanding automotive, civil security, and defense applications,” said Jaume Sanpera, CEO, Sateliot. “By validating interoperability between Celeste’s SmartgNB and Qualcomm Technologies’ NTN platforms with our unique technology payload, we are strengthening Europe’s position in secure, sovereign, space-based connectivity.”
Celeste Technologies develops a fully software-based, 3GPP-compliant NTN gNB solutions for regenerative satellites, offering software licensing, customization, and support for multi-operator 5G and future 6G constellations.
Sateliot is building a LEO 5G NR-NTN constellation in S-band, complementing its NB-IoT NTN service to address IoT, automotive, civil security, and defense use cases, with a strong focus on European sovereignty and discretionary services.
Qualcomm branded products are products of Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries. Qualcomm is a trademark or registered trademark of Qualcomm Incorporated.
15.01.2026
Celeste completed advanced testing of its NTN SmartgNB using Keysight PROPSIM channel emulator and VSA software.
This work introduced realistic GEO and LEO satellite channel conditions, including fading, and verified correct end-to-end data reception. Building on this success, the two companies completed testing with the Celeste gNB using the Keysight PROPSIM emulator platform and Vector Signal Analysis (VSA) software, introducing realistic fading and verifying correct data reception. This milestone highlights how advanced channel emulation and close collaboration accelerate the future of non-terrestrial networks.
19.09.2025
Celeste SmartgNB demonstrated terminal attachment and Core Network registration over FR1 frequencies for both GEO and LEO orbits, confirming full 3GPP release 17 standard compliance, interoperability, and technology maturity.
Through rigorous testing in the Keysight’s lab environment, Celeste demonstrated terminal attachment and core network registration across FR1 frequencies, spanning both GEO and LEO satellite orbits, with full compliance to 3GPP NTN Release 17 standards. This achievement reflects the power of collaboration in accelerating the future of non-terrestrial networks, and it reinforces Keysight’s commitment to enabling breakthrough innovation across the satellite and 5G ecosystem.