Exploring the Future of Satellite Communications: What Comes Next for SATCOM?

Satellite communications is entering a decisive phase. Once viewed primarily as a specialist infrastructure for broadcasting and defence, SATCOM now sits at the intersection of connectivity, resilience, data intelligence, and national capability. That shift was on full display at the International SATCOMs Conference 2025, where more than 150 experts from industry, academia, and government gathered at the IET’s Savoy Place to examine where the sector is heading next.

A central feature of the event was a high-level panel session bringing together voices from across the IET’s technical communities, including the Antennas and Propagation Technical Network (APTN), Satellite, IoT, RF & Microwave, and Quantum Technical Networks. The discussion reflected a growing recognition that the future of satellite communications will not be driven by isolated advances, but by cross-disciplinary collaboration and system-level thinking.

A conference shaped by convergence

This year’s conference marked an important milestone. For the first time, the SATCOMs Conference was formally integrated with the newly launched Quantum Technologies and 6G & Future Networks events. That integration was more than a scheduling decision. It signalled a deliberate move towards breaking down traditional silos between communications, computation, sensing, and security.

Modern satellite systems increasingly rely on expertise spanning electromagnetics, materials science, signal processing, AI, and quantum-safe technologies. The event reflected this reality, creating space for engineers and researchers to examine shared challenges such as spectrum congestion, resilience, latency, and trust.

From an engineering perspective, this convergence demands structured approaches to complexity and uncertainty, principles long embedded in professional practice through frameworks such as risk assessment fundamentals, where interactions between systems matter as much as individual components.

The role of the Antennas and Propagation Technical Network

Representing the APTN on the panel was Dr Shukla, Chair of the Network. He outlined the APTN’s mission to foster innovation and collaboration across antennas, propagation, and wireless electromagnetics, with a particular focus on translating research into real-world application.

Dr Shukla highlighted a number of recent APTN initiatives, including:

• CAWE’25 (Colloquium on Antennas and Wireless Electromagnetics), showcasing emerging research, experimental platforms, and early-stage projects.
• A growing Lunch and Learn series, including a recent session hosted at the Satellite Applications Catapult on the CESAT Facility, designed to bridge academic insight and industrial practice.

His message was clear: technical excellence alone is not enough. Innovation must be tested, validated, and deployed in operational environments. That transition from theory to practice mirrors the discipline required in engineering safety and reliability, where concepts are stress-tested before adoption, a mindset reinforced through health and safety training for engineers.

Emerging technologies shaping the satellite ecosystem

A core part of the panel discussion focused on the technologies expected to define the next generation of satellite communications.

Expanding into new frequency bands

The use of Q, V, and W bands featured prominently. These higher frequency ranges offer significant untapped capacity, enabling higher data rates and supporting growing demand from broadband, Earth observation, and backhaul services.

However, operating at these frequencies introduces challenges related to atmospheric attenuation, antenna precision, and system resilience. Addressing these issues requires advances not just in hardware, but in propagation modelling, adaptive systems, and end-to-end optimisation.

Machine learning and data exploitation

Machine learning is increasingly intertwined with satellite systems, both as a consumer of satellite data and as a tool for managing satellite networks themselves. From traffic optimisation to anomaly detection, AI offers ways to extract greater value from complex datasets.

Panel members emphasised that success in this area depends on high-quality data, transparent models, and robust validation. These considerations echo broader engineering principles around accountability and traceability, which underpin effective collaboration, as seen in effective communication in construction and engineering.

Spectrum sharing and coexistence

With orbital slots and spectrum becoming increasingly congested, spectrum sharing technologies were identified as a priority. Dynamic allocation, interference mitigation, and cooperative frameworks will be essential to allow multiple systems to operate efficiently without degradation of service.

This is not purely a technical challenge. It also involves regulation, international coordination, and trust between operators, reinforcing the need for long-term, collaborative programmes rather than short-term competitive gains.

Multi-band and hybrid systems

Another recurring theme was the move towards multi-band bearers, enabling seamless integration across RF and optical links. Such hybrid architectures promise improved flexibility and resilience, but also introduce system-level complexity that must be carefully managed.

Dr Shukla captured the sentiment succinctly: innovation must move beyond the laboratory. Only through real-world experimentation can the limits and opportunities of these technologies be fully understood.

Developing talent and sustaining capability

Beyond technology, the panel devoted significant attention to people and capability. The future of SATCOM depends not only on breakthroughs, but on a steady pipeline of skilled engineers and researchers.

Key points included:

• Early-career development, ensuring that graduates and post-doctoral researchers have pathways into meaningful projects.
• Research exploitation, translating findings into deployable solutions and sharing outcomes through open platforms such as peer-reviewed journals and technical events.
• Long-term collaboration, recognising that satellite programmes often span decades and require continuity of expertise.

These priorities align closely with wider discussions around engineering careers and skills resilience. As infrastructure becomes more complex and interdependent, the value of well-trained engineers with systems-level understanding continues to grow, reinforcing arguments around why engineering and trade careers remain a strong long-term choice.

Demonstrations and dialogue in action

The conference concluded with a networking reception that went beyond conversation. Live demonstrations of satellite antenna technologies allowed attendees to engage directly with hardware, ask detailed questions, and explore potential collaborations.

These interactions highlighted the importance of physical experimentation and informal exchange alongside formal presentations. Many of the most productive discussions took place away from the stage, reflecting how innovation often emerges from dialogue rather than directives.

Such engagement also plays a role in building trust and credibility within technical communities, values that underpin professional ecosystems and are reinforced through transparent feedback mechanisms like a training provider reviews page, where shared experience informs improvement.

Satellite communications in a changing world

What emerged from the panel session was a picture of a sector in transition. Satellite communications is no longer a niche domain operating at the margins of connectivity. It is central to global communications, navigation, Earth observation, and emerging digital services.

At the same time, the challenges facing SATCOM are growing more complex. Climate resilience, cyber security, spectrum scarcity, and geopolitical considerations all shape system design and deployment. Addressing these challenges requires integrated thinking across disciplines and sustained collaboration across sectors. Events like the International SATCOMs Conference play a vital role in creating the spaces where those conversations can happen.