Turin, Italy – July 24, 2025 – Tyvak International, a subsidiary of Terran Orbital, is proud to announce the successful launch of the 5G-LIDE (Live Demonstration) mission, which took place on July 23rd aboard the SpaceX TRACERS Mission. Developed through the European Space Agency’s (ESA) “Advanced Research in Telecommunications Systems” (ARTES) program and supported by the Italian Space Agency (ASI), the mission involves deploying a 12U nanosatellite into sun-synchronous orbit and installing two advanced ground terminals.
The 5G-LIDE mission is conducted by a fully Italian consortium led by Tyvak International, which was responsible for the design, manufacturing, integration, and in-orbit command and control of the satellite during its operational phase. The mission aims to demonstrate high-speed 5G connectivity by establishing a bidirectional K/Ka-band link between the satellite and two ground stations.
Collaborative Innovation Across Italy and Europe
The mission was awarded by ESA with support from ASI and was monitored throughout development by ESA’s Directorate of Technology, Engineering, and Quality. Tyvak International served as the prime contractor, coordinating the activities of:
- PICOSATS srl, which developed the satellite payload, including two K/Ka transponders and four patch-array antennas.
- Radio Analog Micro Electronics (RAME) srl developed the ground infrastructure: a User Equipment terminal and a Gateway terminal that functions as a base station and node in the 5G terrestrial network.
The 5G-LIDE mission also involved a strong network of Italian and European partners and suppliers, including Centrotecnica, Criotec, CIRA, NCM Technology, Allegretti, MEC srl, and a prime telecom operator.
Mission Objectives and Operations
Once in orbit, the satellite will conduct multiple communication sessions with two designated ground sites: one in the province of Rieti, Italy, and another at ESA’s 5G/6G Lab at the ESTEC facility in Noordwijk, Netherlands. The satellite will aim four antennas at the ground to establish a high-speed, low-latency connection with the ground terminals. The mission will evaluate key performance indicators such as signal-to-noise ratio and latency.
The 5G-LIDE mission is designed to demonstrate direct broadband access for small-aperture terminals in rural and suburban areas. The system uses communication protocols compatible with the 3GPP standard, representing a critical step toward space-enabled 5G services.
Enabling the Future of Secure and Resilient Connectivity
This in-orbit demonstration opens new opportunities for Italian institutions and European stakeholders to explore the feasibility of a low-cost telecommunications satellite constellation in low Earth orbit. It aims to provide secure, resilient broadband infrastructure that can supplement terrestrial networks and help achieve national and regional connectivity objectives.
Future Developments
Building on this milestone, several potential evolutions of the 5G-LIDE concept are already under consideration:
- Integration of phased-array antennas with active beamforming to enable more precise and flexible communication.
- Adoption of regenerative payloads capable of digitizing and correcting the received signal before retransmission, enhancing reliability and performance.
- In-orbit validation of upcoming 3GPP and 6G protocols, supporting quicker development cycles and speeding up the deployment of next-generation satellite communication systems.
Tyvak International and its partners are proud to lead this pioneering effort and contribute to Europe’s advancement in space-based telecommunications.
About Tyvak International
Tyvak International SRL, a subsidiary of Terran Orbital Corporation, is a leading European provider of nano and microsatellites, based in Torino, Italy. As a leader in miniaturization and focused on execution and delivery, Tyvak International is the prime contractor for the European Space Agency’s Milani mission, managing a team of 12 entities, including universities, research centers, and companies across Italy and Europe. Learn more at www.tyvak.eu.
About Terran Orbital
Terran Orbital, a Lockheed Martin Company, is a leading manufacturer of satellite solutions, providing end-to-end mission services for commercial and government customers. Terran Orbital specializes in designing, building, and operating advanced satellite systems, leveraging cutting-edge technologies to support national security, scientific research, and commercial applications. For more information, visit www.terranorbital.com.
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