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29/01/2026
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Citizens living in remote areas could one day receive specialist medical care without leaving their communities, thanks to advances in telemedicine through satellite communications. The European Space Agency (ESA) and the University of Glasgow have successfully run a remote dental examination using a secure satellite link combined with a rapidly usable 5G network.
During the test, a doctor based at ESA’s European Centre for Space Applications and Telecommunications (ECSAT) in Harwell, UK, conducted a full dental inspection of a simulated patient located more than 650 km away – at the University of Glasgow’s SCENE facility at Loch Lomond. The doctor operated a robotic arm in real time through a hybrid satellite‑and‑5G connection.
Once the examination was complete, the team dispatched a drone to deliver medication to the patient. The drone was monitored using a 5G‑enabled tracking system, demonstrating how multiple technologies can work together to support timely care.
The demonstration showed how dependable communications can enable medical services in places where conventional networks are limited or unavailable. Connectivity today plays a central role in many essential activities, including healthcare, yet many remote regions still lack stable mobile or broadband infrastructure. In such areas, transporting patients or medical staff can be costly, slow, or impractical – especially in emergencies.
The demonstration is part of ESA’s 5G REMOTE project, which aims to bridge the gap between satellites and portable 5G networks for communications. The pop‑up network used in the demonstration can be rapidly used wherever satellite coverage reaches, providing high‑quality connectivity that enables advanced telemedicine services.
The demonstration is part of ESA’s 5G REMOTE project, which aims to bridge the gap between satellites and portable 5G networks for communications. The pop‑up network used in the demonstration can be rapidly used wherever satellite coverage reaches, providing high‑quality connectivity that enables advanced telemedicine services.
The simulation was carried out through collaboration between ESA’s Connectivity and Secure Communications directorate and the Glasgow Next‑Generation (GXG) testbed at the University of Glasgow. It was funded under ESA’s Advanced Research in Telecommunications Systems (ARTES) programme, with support from the UK Space Agency.
“This kind of reliable and flexible connectivity has potentially transformative applications for improving the wellbeing of millions of people,” said Antonio Franchi, Head of ESA’s Space for 5G/6G & Sustainable Connectivity programme. “We are combining satellite communications technology with new advances in mobile signals and robotics to unlock the full power of telemedicine and help to overcome the digital divide.”
“Access to healthcare should not depend on postcode or proximity to a major hospital. Our team’s work with ESA demonstrates a practical pathway to bring specialist assessment and timely intervention closer to remote and rural communities,” said Professor Muhammad Imran, Head of the James Watt School of Engineering at the University of Glasgow. “This was enabled by using integrated 5G and satellite connectivity (terrestrial and non—terrestrial networks) to support real—time interaction, remote examination and delivery of essentials when every minute matters.”
By supporting projects like 5G REMOTE, ESA is helping to advance technologies that strengthen resilience, improve access, and support the digital transformation of healthcare.
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