Free Space

What Free Space does

Free Space S.r.l. is an Italian engineering SME founded in 2017 as a spin-off of the University of Pisa and the CNIT RaSS National Laboratory, headquartered in Pisa with a secondary office in Carrara. The company designs and produces devices, tools, and tailored engineering solutions for the transmission, reception, and processing of electromagnetic signals, with deep specialization in applied electromagnetics derived from its 10 founding partners, most of whom hold PhDs in the field. Its product and service portfolio spans four interconnected areas: (1) the proprietary EMpact simulation tool implementing 3D ray-tracing with GO/G/UTD/PO theories for electromagnetic impact evaluation in civil and military environments, (2) measurement capabilities including a mobile maritime RCS system (DyRaM), an anechoic chamber, and dielectric characterization instruments, (3) custom antenna and sensor designs including V/UHF conformal naval antennas, passive arrays for space debris detection, and UWB tactical antennas, and (4) engineered metasurfaces and metamaterials (low-profile RAM, frequency-selective rasorbers, EBG structures, active FSS).

Free Space operates a B2B enterprise sales model, primarily serving defense, naval, aerospace, and space prime contractors and government agencies (EDA, ESA, MBDA Germany, Tyvak International, European Defence Fund consortia), with a smaller exposure to civil infrastructure clients. The company is paid per project under customized, quote-based engagements that follow clients from concept through TRL9 production. GTM is heavily relationship- and event-driven, anchored on IEEE symposiums, EDA CapTech meetings, EDF Info Days, and EUDIS Coach. The stated paid-in capital is €100,000, the headcount is 1-10, and the business holds ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and SA 8000:2014 certifications. The company reports no external institutional investors and is privately held.

Name

Free Space

Legal name

Free Space S.r.l.

Website

https://free-space.it

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Free Space is an Italian engineering SME and University of Pisa spin-off that designs antennas, electromagnetic measurement systems, and metamaterials for defense, naval, aerospace, and space prime contractors and government agencies, with a B2B project-based services and proprietary products business model.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Defense Electromagnetic Engineering

NAICS

Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511), Instrument Manufacturing for Measuring and Testing Electricity and Electrical Signals (334515), Radio and Television Broadcasting and Wireless Communications Equipment Manufacturing (334220), Other Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing (336419)

SIC

Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812), Instruments For Meas & Testing Of Electricity & Elec Signals (3825), Communications Equipment, Nec (3669)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYIMABAGAJ

Military Power Supplies, RF/Microwave Components & Ruggedized Electronics

Industrials, Manufacturing & Construction/Aerospace & Defense Manufacturing/Defense Electronics, Sensors & Radar

SECONDARYIMABACAF

Space Structures, Mechanisms & Thermal Control

Industrials, Manufacturing & Construction/Aerospace & Defense Manufacturing/Spacecraft & Launch Vehicle Manufacturing

SECONDARYIMAJAJAA

Integrated Marine Electrical Systems & Switchboards

Industrials, Manufacturing & Construction/Marine & Shipbuilding/Marine Electrical, Automation & Navigation Systems

Keywords

• Electromagnetic engineering
• Antenna design
• Radar absorbing materials
• Electromagnetic measurement
• Defense engineering

Headquarters

HQ city

Pisa

HQ country

Italy

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Custom Engineering Services: Tailored engineering solutions for electromagnetic systems from concept through production (TRL9). Projects span design, simulation, development, and validation of antennas, sensors, and electromagnetic impact evaluation for defense and aerospace clients.
2. EM Measurement Services: Laboratory and field measurement services including RF testing, antenna characterization, dielectric measurements, RCS evaluation, and RADHAZ compliance measurements.
3. Proprietary Products: Sale of engineered electromagnetic materials including radar absorbing materials, frequency-selective rasorbers, EBG structures, and active FSS. Products are customizable to client specifications.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Free Space designs and produces devices for the transmission, receiving, and processing of electromagnetic signals. The company delivers custom electromagnetic engineering solutions from concept through production (TRL9), including antenna and sensor design, electromagnetic impact evaluation, metamaterials, and measurement services for defense, aerospace, naval, and civil applications.

Product overview

Free Space S.r.l. is an engineering company offering four interconnected product/service areas: (1) EMpact electromagnetic simulation tool for civil and military environments, (2) comprehensive measurement services including anechoic chamber testing and dielectric characterization using proprietary instruments (coaxial probe and waveguide-based systems), (3) antennas and sensors design covering naval conformal V/UHF antennas, passive array radar antennas, and compact UWB antennas, and (4) metasurfaces and metamaterials including low-profile radar absorbers, frequency-selective rasorbers, EBG structures, and active FSS. The company follows clients from design through to production level (TRL9), offering tailored solutions for aerospace, naval, and ground platforms.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• EMpact Electromagnetic Impact Evaluation Tool Proprietary numerical simulation tool for electromagnetic field analysis in complex civil and military environments, featuring 3D ray-tracing, RADHAZ evaluations (HERP, HERF, HERO, HERE, HERA), and Biot-Savart Law calculations for power line magnetic induction.
• DyRaM RCS Measurement System Mobile, fully transportable Radar Cross Section (RCS) measurement system for maritime environments, delivering total RCS evaluation, High-Resolution Range Profiles (HRRPs), and 2D Inverse Synthetic Aperture Radar (ISAR) imaging.
• Dielectric Characterization System (Open-Ended Coaxial Probe) Open-ended coaxial probe system for measuring dielectric properties of liquid, gel and semi-solid materials in the 10 MHz to 10 GHz range, with temperature control from -40 to +125°C.
• Waveguide-Based EM Dielectric Characterization Kit Complete set of waveguides covering up to 18 GHz, with proprietary algorithms for extraction of dielectric parameters including permittivity and conductivity.
• CCB V/UHF Conformal Antennas for Naval Applications V/UHF conformal antennas for naval applications enabling transmission and reception of data and voice in the 225-600 MHz band, flush mounted in modern naval integrated masts with very low RCS contribution.
• TOP V/UHF Conformal Antennas for Naval Applications Omnidirectional beam conformal antennas mounted in modern naval integrated masts for transmission and reception of data and voice in the 108-512 MHz band.
• PAN V/UHF Conformal Antennas V/UHF conformal antennas for naval applications with 4-element array guaranteeing omnidirectional beam on azimuth plane, for transmission and reception of data and voice in the 225-400 MHz band.
• Passive Array Radar Communication Antenna Passive antenna array with hexagonal geometry composed of 19 slotted-patch antennas for space debris detection applications, featuring dual circular polarization support.
• Compact UWB Antennas Ultra-wideband dipole antennas including Broadband Dipole Antenna (530 MHz to 4.3 GHz) and Double Ridge Horn (1-9 GHz) for tactical communications, UHF surveillance, and RF testing applications.
• Low-profile Radar Absorbing Materials (RAM) Low-profile radar absorbing materials with maximum thickness of 10 mm engineered for 1-4 GHz and 4-18 GHz ranges, featuring minimum Return Loss of -6 dB for stealth and RCS reduction applications.
• Frequency-selective Rasorber Frequency-selective rasorbers optimized for pass-band effect, absorbing signals below 6 GHz and above 18 GHz with minimum Return Loss of -10 dB for antenna integration and radome applications.
• Electromagnetic Band-Gap (EBG) Structures Electromagnetic Band Gap structures preventing surface wave propagation within targeted frequency band, engineered for 10-11 GHz range with maximum thickness of 5 mm and minimum attenuation of -10 dB.
• Active Frequency Selective Surface (FSS) Switchable active FSS capable of switching between absorption and reflection states controlled by PIN diodes, tunable band performance in 8-12 GHz range with maximum thickness of 12 mm.
• Anechoic Chamber Testing Facility Reflection-free controlled environment for accurate electromagnetic measurements equipped with motorized rotating platform, linear rails and positioners for precise angular positioning and distance control. Supports S-parameter measurements, radiation pattern analysis, and gain/efficiency evaluation.
• RCS Evaluation and Reduction Services Measurement and simulation services for RCS evaluation applicable during preliminary and final design phases of naval and aeronautical platforms, including reduction strategies.
• RADHAZ Evaluations and EMC/EMI Analysis Comprehensive electromagnetic risk assessment services including HERP (personnel exposure), HERF (fuels safety), HERO (ordnance safety), HERE (equipment), and HERA (aircraft) evaluations.
• Custom Electromagnetic Engineering Services Tailored engineering solutions for electromagnetic systems from concept through production (TRL9), spanning design, simulation, development, and validation of antennas, sensors, and electromagnetic impact evaluation for defense and aerospace clients.
• Broadband Biconical Dipole Antenna for SAR Measurements Compact passive antenna designed to streamline Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) measurements for high-power portable military devices, operating across 600 MHz to 3 GHz frequency range.
• SHELTER High-Impedance Surface for Small Satellites High-Impedance Surface (HIS) technology for small satellite applications, developed under ESA's ExPro Plus tender to enhance L-band communication performance, in collaboration with Tyvak International.

Quantifiable outcome

• Low-profile RAM with maximum 10mm thickness for 1-4 GHz and 4-18 GHz ranges with guaranteed -6 dB Return Loss
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability4 records

Feature9 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Tyvak InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 January 2026Collaboration on SHELTER project (ESA ExPro Plus) for High-Impedance Surface technologies for small satellites. Joint development of L-band communication enhancement solutions.
• Scuola Superiore Sant'AnnacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 January 2026Collaboration on SIMMER project (PNS BATCH 3 call) for development of acoustic metamaterials for extreme underwater environments. Multidisciplinary partnership for research innovation.
• European Union (EUDIS Coach)coreOthers · 10 June 2025Selected beneficiary of EUDIS Coach business coaching program under European Defence Fund. Receives up to 15 days of personalized coaching from defence industry experts including commercialization, strategy, procurement, partnerships, and internationalization guidance.
• University of PisacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Free Space was founded in 2017 as a spin-off of the University of Pisa by researchers and engineers. The company has officially renewed its spin-off status. This academic partnership provides access to research talent, facilities, and fundamental electromagnetic expertise.
• CNIT RaSS National LaboratorycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017CNIT (Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Telecomunicazioni) RaSS National Laboratory (Radar and Surveillance Systems) - one of the founding partners. Collaboration on naval antenna projects including CCB V/UHF conformal antennas. Provides research infrastructure and expertise.
• Easy Security SrlminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerTraining provider delivering English language courses funded through FonARCom interprofessional fund. Supports team professional development for international collaboration.
• Studio LPminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerTraining provider for workplace safety courses including fire risk prevention and emergency management.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Saab: Swedish defence and aerospace group with strong radar, electronic warfare and naval sensor businesses (Saab Surveillance). Competes with Free Space in stealth/EM materials for naval and aerospace platforms.
• QinetiQ: UK-listed defence technology and test-services group operating anechoic chambers, RCS ranges and EM engineering services. Closest large-scale analogue to Free Space's measurement-services and RADHAZ/EMC offering.
• Thales: French defence prime with broad radar, sonar, electronic warfare and aerospace sensor portfolios. Competes in naval integrated masts and space-borne RF payloads where Free Space sells conformal antennas and EM materials.
• HENSOLDT: German defence electronics major supplying radar, sensors and electronic warfare systems across naval, air and space platforms. Competes with Free Space in naval antennas and radar cross-section reduction but at vastly greater scale.
• Leonardo: Italian defence prime with major naval radar, electronic warfare and sensor businesses (e.g. Leonardo Sensors). Largest Italian incumbent whose integrated-mast and EM-stewardship programmes overlap with Free Space's naval antenna portfolio.

Emerging players

• Echodyne: US metamaterials-based radar startup serving defence, autonomous systems and perimeter security. Adjacent in EM engineering and radar cross-section know-how relevant to Free Space's DyRaM offering.
• Arralis: Irish designer and manufacturer of millimetre-wave antennas, radar modules and space-grade RF components. Closely comparable emerging European peer in custom antenna and radar electronics for defence and space.
• Meta Materials Inc: Public metamaterials company developing radar-absorbing films, frequency-selective surfaces and shielding for aerospace/defence. Overlaps with Free Space's RAM, rasorber and active FSS product lines.

Direct peers

• IDS Ingegneria Dei Sistemi: Italian defence engineering SME with deep electromagnetic, radar and antenna expertise serving naval and aerospace primes. Closest geographic and capability analogue to Free Space's Pisa-based, EM-focused defence offering.

Regional players

• TTI Norte: Spanish defence electronics firm specialising in radar, electronic warfare and communications equipment for naval platforms. Comparable mid-sized European peer in naval RF and antenna integration.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/free-space-electromagnetic-tencologies

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Free Space