Abstract
SatNEx is a European Network of Experts for satellite communications, coordinated by the German Aerospace Center DLR. The first two phases of SatNEx were funded by the EU from 2004 to 2009. The third phase, SatNEx-III, comprises 17 partners and is funded by ESA from 2010 to 2013. A core team consisting of DLR, University of Surrey, and University of Bologna is coordinating the SatNEx-III research activities. Specific research tasks are contracted to partners in the frame of annual “Call-off Orders”.