Spanish startup launches 14th 'pocket' satellite, bolsters european defense tech
Hydra Space Systems, a rapidly emerging Spanish satellite connectivity firm, just notched a significant victory: the successful orbital deployment of SpinnyOne, their 14th satellite. This isn’t just another launch; it’s a crucial step toward bolstering European technological sovereignty and demonstrates a remarkable agility in the burgeoning NewSpace sector.
A tiny satellite with big implications
SpinnyOne, a PocketQube – essentially a ‘satellite in your pocket’ – is serving as a proving ground for secure, low-power communications and microgravity experiments. But the real story here is Hydra Space’s ability to rapidly deploy dedicated satellite infrastructure in low Earth orbit (LEO) within a matter of months. That speed and capability are increasingly vital for defense applications and sovereign communications needs – areas where Europe is actively seeking to reduce reliance on external providers.
What sets this launch apart is its collaborative nature. Hydra Space acted as a technological facilitator for Spinning Around, a startup hailing from Edinburgh, UK. The SpinnyOne mission includes a real-world microgravity experiment for Spinning Around, showcasing Hydra Space’s growing orbital validation services for both commercial and institutional clients – a budding business line the company appears keen to expand.
Developed in a blistering six-month timeframe, SpinnyOne isn’t just a testbed for microgravity; it's a critical communications laboratory. The satellite carries a prototype of optimized digital voice Technology designed to operate on extremely narrow bandwidths. Proof-of-concept testing involves transmitting excerpts from 'Don Quixote,' a rather fitting nod to Spanish ingenuity. The goal? To validate a secure communications infrastructure tailored for LEO, specifically targeting defense and security scenarios with low-cost platforms.
Signals confirming SpinnyOne’s operational status arrived just hours after launch. Pablo Durbán, CEO of Hydra Space Systems, underscored the achievement, stating, “This milestone demonstrates our ability to design, build, and deliver connectivity solutions with agility and efficiency, all 100% in-house. It also validates the potential of local talent to strengthen Europe’s technological independence in space.”
The broader context is clear: digital independence is becoming a strategic imperative. Hydra Space’s trajectory exemplifies how European companies can build advanced communications and space access solutions, lessening dependence on external players and nurturing a resilient, competitive ecosystem.
The mission benefitted from a ride aboard SpaceX’s Transporter 16 mission, coordinated by Alba Orbital, alongside 119 other satellites. Alastair Broom, CEO and founder of Spinning Around, lauded the speed of development, noting, “It took us exactly six months from ideation to launch readiness. SpinnyOne embodies the essence of NewSpace philosophy.”
Eduardo Alonso, CTO of Hydra Space Systems, highlighted ongoing improvements, “We’re launching into orbit every six months, driven by exceptionally rapid innovation cycles. With this launch, we’re not only serving clients like Spinning Around but also testing advancements in our communication systems: digital voice and high-speed transmission. Our satellites are already compatible with standard analog voice terminals, and our short-term objective is to support digital and secure communications using minimal bandwidth, aligning with radios currently used by military and security forces.” The company plans another launch in June via SpaceX’s Transporter-17, continuing their relentless pace.
Looking ahead, Hydra Space is actively pursuing a fully Spanish space project in collaboration with PLD Space. With a 100% national Technology, validated in orbit, and an agile deployment model, Hydra Space is positioning itself as a key partner for integrators and institutions seeking sovereign communication capabilities.
The rapid pace of development and the willingness to embrace collaboration points to a future where European space capabilities are no longer a distant aspiration but a tangible reality. And with a launch cadence of just six months, Hydra Space is proving that agility and innovation can indeed reshape the space landscape.