Spanish startup launches pocket satellite, bolsters european defense tech
Hydra Space Systems, a Barcelona-based firm quietly carving a niche in satellite connectivity, just scored a significant victory: the successful orbital deployment of SpinnyOne, its 14th PocketQube satellite. This isn’t just another launch; it’s a demonstration of agile European space capabilities, and a potential game-changer for secure communications, particularly within defense sectors.
Rapid deployment, sovereign tech: the hydra advantage
SpinnyOne, a diminutive satellite measuring just a fraction of a standard model, serves as a testbed for low-power, secure communications and microgravity experimentation. Hydra Space’s claim – the ability to deploy dedicated satellite infrastructure in low Earth orbit (LEO) within months – directly addresses the growing need for national technological independence. The speed is remarkable; the satellite itself was built in a mere six months.
What’s particularly noteworthy is the collaborative aspect. Hydra Space acted as the technological facilitator for Spinning Around, an Edinburgh-based startup, integrating a microgravity experiment into SpinnyOne’s mission. This highlights Hydra’s burgeoning orbital validation service, offering commercial and institutional clients a platform to test hardware and software in the harsh realities of space. The Agency Espacial Española is already actively recruiting, seeking 16 new personnel to support SpinnyOne and future missions.
'El quijote' in orbit: testing secure voice transmission
The satellite’s payload is far from trivial. It incorporates a digital voice prototype optimized for minimal bandwidth—a crucial factor for secure communications in resource-constrained environments. The current test involves retransmitting excerpts from 'El Quijote,' a somewhat charming, if unconventional, method to validate the infrastructure’s capabilities. The goal is a secure communication system designed specifically for defense and security applications operating on low-cost LEO platforms.
Signals were received within hours of launch, confirming operational status. Pablo Durbán, CEO of Hydra Space Systems, underscored the achievement: “This milestone not only demonstrates our ability to design, build, and deploy connectivity solutions rapidly and efficiently, but also spotlights the talent within Europe capable of strengthening our technological sovereignty in space.”
But there's a broader context. The push for digital independence is reshaping global Technologystrategy, and Hydra Space's trajectory suggests that advanced communications and space access solutions can indeed be developed within Europe, reducing reliance on external providers and fostering a competitive, resilient ecosystem.
Spacex ride-share and amateur radio access
The launch, facilitated by SpaceX’s Transporter 16 mission coordinated by Alba Orbital, shared lift-off with 119 other satellites. Hydra Space has also ingeniously opened up SpinnyOne to the amateur radio community. Simple equipment can now receive telemetry and even establish voice calls, democratizing access to space Technology—a clever tactic to create a distributed testing ground for their innovations.
“We’ve gone from concept to orbit in just six months,” notes Alastair Broom, CEO and founder of Spinning Around, “SpinnyOne embodies the very essence of NewSpace philosophy.” Hydra Space’s rapid iteration cycle—launching a satellite every six months—is a testament to their agile approach. This latest mission wasn’t just about Spinning Around; it also showcased improvements to their communication systems, including digital voice and high-speed transmission, demonstrating compatibility with standard analog voice terminals. Their next target? Digital and secure communications utilizing minimal bandwidth, aligning with the radios currently employed by defense and security forces.
And the pace doesn’t appear to be slowing. Hydra Space’s next launch is slated for under three months, during the SpaceX Transporter-17 mission in June, further solidifying their position as a strategic partner for integrators and institutions seeking sovereign satellite communication capabilities. Eduardo Alonso, CTO of Hydra Space Systems, adds, “We hope to soon launch with PLD Space, achieving a 100% Spanish space project.”
With a proven track record of rapid development, in-orbit validation, and an agile deployment model, Hydra Space isn't just building satellites—they’re building a future where European technological independence in space is a tangible reality.