Tyvak International’s LIDE satellite completes initial on-orbit 5G tests

Turin, Italy — Jan. 11, 2026 — The 12U CubeSat LIDE (LIve DEmonstration) has successfully completed its first months of on-orbit operations following its launch July 23, 2025, aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. Early results confirm the mission’s ability to support 5G connectivity from space, advancing efforts to expand broadband access to remote and underserved areas.

Funded by the Italian Space Agency (ASI) and developed under the European Space Agency’s ARTES (Advanced Research in Telecommunications Systems) program, LIDE is demonstrating the integration of terrestrial and satellite telecommunications networks through active testing in orbit.

The mission is led by Tyvak International, a subsidiary of Terran Orbital, and supported by a specialized Italian team combining industrial and scientific expertise. Using a small satellite platform, the project is testing the feasibility of deploying 5G technology in space to enable scalable and cost-effective connectivity solutions.

“We are very satisfied with the results achieved during these first months of operations,” said Margherita Cardi, vice president of programs and business development at Tyvak International. “The performance of the communication link allows us to proceed with more advanced on-orbit tests and to collect critical data in support of future connectivity missions.”

Designed and built entirely in Italy, the satellite incorporates highly miniaturized and cost-efficient technologies. After launch, LIDE was successfully stabilized in orbit and began its test campaign, establishing direct communication links with ground terminals at ESA’s 5G/6G Telecom Lab in Noordwijk, the Netherlands.

The mission is designed to demonstrate direct, stable and high-speed connectivity between nanosatellites and compact ground terminals comparable in size to those used on vehicles or mobile stations. This capability supports the continued development of 5G and future 6G services while extending coverage beyond traditional terrestrial infrastructure.

LIDE is equipped with four integrated antennas operating in the K and Ka bands and supports data rates of up to 10 megabits per second in the downlink and 1 megabit per second in the uplink. The system maintains reliable performance with ground terminals as small as 30 centimeters in diameter. Ongoing testing with ESA laboratories is validating key performance metrics, including latency, signal-to-noise ratio and throughput.

“The experiments with Tyvak’s LIDE satellite are essential for demonstrating that 5G technology can be applied to small satellite platforms,” said Alberto Ginesi, ESA project manager. “These results support future broadband services with a high level of integration between satellite and terrestrial networks.”

Building on early results, Tyvak International plans to work with institutional partners, including civil protection and emergency services organizations, to evaluate future connectivity demonstrations. Additional testing in the coming months will further refine communication protocols and support the development of resilient, interoperable global networks.

About Tyvak International
Founded in Turin in 2015, Tyvak International is a Terran Orbital subsidiary specializing in designing and manufacturing nanosatellites and microsatellites weighing up to 300 kilograms. Its mission portfolio includes ESA’s HERA/MILANI mission, commercial telecommunications constellations, and advanced projects with the Italian Space Agency.

About Terran Orbital
Terran Orbital, a Lockheed Martin Company, is a leading manufacturer of satellite solutions, providing end-to-end mission services to commercial, civil, and government customers worldwide. Headquartered in Irvine, California, with facilities across the United States and Europe, the company specializes in the design, manufacture, launch integration, and operation of advanced small satellites.

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