Friisat – 5G-NTN VLEO constellation for broadband D2D connectivity. End-to-end system and service.
ESA project for Broadband direct-to-mobile communication.
CONTEXT
Friisat is an innovative satellite system designed to provide direct-to-mobile broadband connectivity using a constellation of satellites in Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO). The project is part of a broader initiative supported by the European Space Agency (ESA), the Swiss Space Office (SSO), and the Italian Space Agency (ASI), aimed at overcoming the limitations of current terrestrial networks.
The Friisat system integrates next-generation communication payloads fully compliant with 3GPP-NTN standards, enabling seamless compatibility with existing 5G infrastructures. In addition, backward compatibility ensures support for legacy 4G/5G mobile devices, significantly expanding its user base and service availability.
This innovative approach combines advanced digital technologies with a highly scalable and energy-efficient architecture, offering high-throughput and low-latency communications with minimized cost and environmental impact. The system is intended to augment the coverage and capacity of terrestrial networks, especially in underserved or remote areas, and enable a range of new applications.
OBJECTIVES
To design and implement a scalable, cost-effective, and energy-efficient satellite communication system for broadband direct-to-device (D2D) connectivity, aligned with future 5G-NTN standards and capable of supporting both existing and future mobile devices.
TRL LEVEL
Target TRL is 3
STATUS
Kick off in June 2025
PARTNERS
 |
Freezz | Prime Contractor https://freezz-ch.com |
 |
SPACE PNT https://spacepnt.com |
 |
ALMATECH https://almatech.ch |
 |
INGENIArs https://www.ingeniars.com |
 |
POLITECNICO DI TORINO – DET https://www.det.polito.it/it |
 |
CELESTE SPACE |
 |
Celeste Global https://celesteglobal.it |
 |
RF MICROTECH https://rfmicrotech.com |
 |
POLITECNICO DI MILANO https://www.polimi.it |
