The 31st Ka and Broadband Space Communications and Navigation Conference, themed “Shaping the Next Era of Space Connectivity,” convenes the international space communications community for the exchange of technical knowledge, research results, and operational experience. The conference provides a premier forum for professionals from space agencies, industry, academia, and research institutions to discuss advances in Broadband Satellite Communications, Navigation and Earth Observation mission and systems.

Conference Highlights

Keynote
From Ku/Ka to Q/V band: the future for LEO/MEO Broadband Constellations
Presented by Alberto Ginesi, Head of the Telecommunication Systems Section, ESA, The Netherlands.
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Invited Talks
Integrated communication and positioning services for B5G/6G Non-Terrestrial Networks
Presented by Riccardo De Gaudenzi, Adjunct Professor, Universities of Parma, Italy, and Florin-Catalin Grec, Navigation Future Programs, ESA, The Netherlands.
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NTN specification in 3GPP: 5G progress and 6G vision
Presented by Sergio Parolari, Standards Manager in ZTE's Wireless and Computing Product Planning department, ZTE, Italy.
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From Specifications to Demonstrations: In-Orbit NTN Experiments
Presented by Stefano Cioni, RF Systems Technology Division, ESA, The Netherlands.
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Plenary Panels
NTN-the roadmap to 6G
Chaired by Prof. Barry Evans, University of Surrey, UK.
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Quantum Era: Re-imagining Space Communications, Navigation, and Sensing
Chaired by Nafiz Karabudak , Lockheed Martin Corp, USA.
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22nd BroadSky Workshop
Chaired by Naoto Kadowaki , NICT, Japan.

12th General Assembly of the Alphasat Aldo Paraboni Propagation Experimenters
Chaired by Carlo Riva, , Politecnico di Milano & Antonio Martellucci, SA, The Netherlands
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Technical Program and Paper Presentations
Engage with a comprehensive technical program featuring peer-reviewed papers, invited presentations, and case studies covering research, development, and operational experience across the Broadband Space Communications, Navigation and Earth Observation domains.

Professional Networking and Collaboration
Connect with an international community of engineers, researchers, system architects, policymakers, and students. The conference provides a professional environment conducive to collaboration, partnership development, and the exchange of ideas.

Technology Exhibition
Explore an exhibition showcasing products, services, and technologies from across the space communications, navigation and Earth observation value chain. Interact directly with industry representatives and technology developers.

Event Details

Dates: October 20–22, 2026
Location: Milan, Italy
Format: In-person conference

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Don’t Miss Out!

Be part of an event that will inform, inspire, and empower you to shape the future of Space Communications, Navigation and Earth Observation.
We look forward to welcoming you to the 31st Ka and Broadband Space Communications and Navigation Conference.

The Conference invites researchers, engineers, practitioners, and industry experts to submit original technical papers for presentation at the conference. The conference serves as an international forum for the presentation and discussion of recent research results, technological developments, system concepts, and operational experience in Space Communications, Navigation and Earth Observation Systems.

Submitted papers should present original contributions addressing theoretical advances, experimental results, system designs, mission concepts, field demonstrations, or operational lessons learned. Contributions from space agencies, industry, academia, and research institutions are strongly encouraged.

Specific emphasis is placed on the application of artificial intelligence and machine learning techniques for system design, network optimization, resource management, traffic forecasting, payload control, autonomous operations, and fault detection and mitigation, as these approaches are increasingly central to the evolution of Space Communications, Navigation and Earth Observation Systems.

All submitted abstracts will be subject to peer review by the Technical Program Committee. Papers accepted for presentation will be presented at the conference and included in the official online conference proceedings.

Technical Areas of Interest
Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:

Space Communications

Advances in Ka-band and broadband space communication systems, missions, architectures, and applications, including systems operating in Low Earth Orbit (LEO), Medium Earth Orbit (MEO), and Geostationary Orbit (GEO), as well as stratospheric platform systems (HAPS). Topics include high-throughput satellites, non-terrestrial networks, multi-orbit and hybrid architectures, inter-satellite links, integrated space–air–ground systems, and emerging broadband services.

Space Exploration and Earth Observation

Communication technologies, mission concepts, and system solutions supporting space exploration and Earth observation missions, including deep-space links, relay systems, high-data-rate payloads, and mission-specific telecommunications architectures.

Satellite Navigation and Positioning Systems

Innovations in satellite navigation, positioning, and timing (PNT) systems; integration of GNSS with communication systems; resilient and assured navigation; hybrid and multi-sensor navigation solutions; and emerging PNT concepts.

Signal Processing, Channel Modeling, and Propagation

Advances in signal processing techniques, channel characterization, atmospheric and ionospheric effects, propagation modeling, mitigation techniques, and performance analysis for space, aerial, and terrestrial communication environments.