Spanish startup launches 14th 'pocket' satellite, eyes defense comms
Hydra Space Systems, a relatively unknown Spanish startup, just pulled off a significant feat in the burgeoning NewSpace arena: the successful deployment of SpinnyOne, their fourteenth PocketQube satellite. This isn't just another launch; it signals a rapidly maturing capability for dedicated, low-Earth orbit (LEO) infrastructure – a capability increasingly vital for both defense and sovereign communications.
A collaborative leap in microgravity research
SpinnyOne, a diminutive satellite measuring just a fraction of a standard satellite's size, serves a dual purpose. Primarily, it's a proving ground for secure, low-bandwidth communications – testing a digital voice prototype optimized for minimal data usage by transmitting excerpts from 'Don Quixote.' But perhaps even more compelling is the satellite’s role as a technological facilitator for Spinning Around, a UK-based startup from Edinburgh. Hydra Space hosted Spinning Around’s microgravity experiment, providing real-world space conditions for their research, a service offered as part of Hydra’s growing in-orbit validation program.
The speed of development is remarkable. Hydra Space built and tested SpinnyOne in a mere six months, a timeframe unheard of in traditional aerospace development. Eduardo Alonso, CTO of Hydra Space Systems, emphasizes the company’s agile, 100% in-house approach. “We’re launching into orbit every six months,” he stated, “a very rapid innovation cycle. This latest launch allows us to test improvements to our communication systems - digital voice and high-speed transmission – alongside supporting a client like Spinning Around.”
Strategic implications and european sovereignty
Pablo Durbán, CEO of Hydra Space Systems, sees the launch as more than just a technical achievement. “This milestone demonstrates our ability to design, build, and deliver connectivity and space access solutions quickly and efficiently,” he commented. He underscored the significance for Europe’s technological sovereignty, highlighting the potential for Spain to develop advanced communication solutions independently, reducing reliance on external providers.
The satellite's open access for amateur radio enthusiasts is a clever move, transforming SpinnyOne into a distributed testbed for Hydra Space’s Technology. Anyone with basic equipment can receive telemetry and even establish voice calls, democratizing access to space Technology in a way rarely seen.
Riding the spacex wave and future plans
SpinnyOne hitched a ride aboard SpaceX’s Transporter-16 mission, sharing the launch with a staggering 119 other satellites. Hydra Space is already gearing up for its next launch, scheduled for June aboard SpaceX's Transporter-17, continuing their accelerated development cycle. The company has even expressed hopes of collaborating with PLD Space, a Spanish launch provider, to create a fully Spanish space project.
The rapid iteration and focused approach of Hydra Space highlight a broader shift in the industry. As digital independence becomes increasingly critical, companies like Hydra Space represent a compelling alternative to established aerospace giants, demonstrating that advanced space capabilities can be developed and deployed from European soil with remarkable speed and agility. The company's ambition, coupled with its recent success, positions it as a key player in the evolving landscape of secure LEO communications and in-orbit validation services. The deployment of SpinnyOne signals not just the launch of a small satellite, but a significant step towards a more resilient and strategically independent European space ecosystem.