Spanish startup launches 14th satellite, bolsters european defense tech
Hydra Space Systems, a burgeoning Spanish satellite communications firm, just upped the ante in Europe's burgeoning space race. The company successfully launched its 14th satellite, dubbed SpinnyOne, marking a significant step toward rapid, on-demand satellite infrastructure deployment – a capability increasingly vital for defense and national security.
Pocket-sized innovation, outsized impact
SpinnyOne, a PocketQube satellite – essentially a 'satellite of the pocket' – was built in a remarkably swift six months. Its primary function isn't just orbiting; it’s a proving ground for secure, low-bandwidth communications and microgravity experiments. The rapid development cycle, a hallmark of the NewSpace ethos, demonstrates Hydra’s agility and a drive for accelerated innovation.
What sets this launch apart is its collaborative nature. Hydra Space acted as the technological backbone for Spinning Around, a UK-based startup from Edinburgh, facilitating a microgravity experiment within the orbital environment. This partnership highlights Hydra's growing role as a service validation provider, offering orbital missions for both commercial and institutional clients.
The satellite’s payload includes an intriguing test: a prototype of optimized digital voice transmission designed for minimal bandwidth. Testing is underway using recordings of El Quijote – a decidedly unique application showcasing the satellite’s capabilities. The goal? To establish a secure communication infrastructure targeted specifically at low Earth orbit (LEO) platforms, crucial for defense and security applications.
First signals were received within hours of launch, confirming the satellite’s operational status. Pablo Durbán, CEO of Hydra Space Systems, emphasized the accomplishment, stating, “This milestone demonstrates our ability to design, build, and deliver connectivity solutions rapidly, efficiently, and entirely in-house. It also underscores the potential of local talent to strengthen Europe’s technological sovereignty in space.”
The geopolitical context is clear. As digital independence becomes increasingly strategic, Hydra Space’s work provides a tangible example of how European companies can develop advanced communication and space access solutions, reducing reliance on external providers and cultivating a competitive, resilient ecosystem.
Hydra Space’s launch was facilitated by SpaceX’s Transporter 16 mission, coordinated by Alba Orbital, and shared with 119 other satellites. Eduardo Alonso, CTO of Hydra Space Systems, highlighted the company's rapid iteration cycle: “We’re launching into orbit every six months. With this launch, we’re not only serving Spinning Around but also refining our communication systems—digital voice and high-speed transmission. Our satellites are now compatible with standard analog voice terminals, and our short-term goal is to support digital and secure communications using minimal bandwidth and leveraging radios currently employed by defense and security forces.”
True to its agile, NewSpace philosophy, Hydra Space anticipates its next launch, Transporter-17 with SpaceX, in under three months—a testament to their accelerated development process. They're also targeting a fully Spanish mission with PLD Space, further solidifying their commitment to domestic innovation.
The Spanish Space Agency is actively seeking personnel to fill 16 permanent positions related to the SpinnyOne project, a clear sign of the growing momentum in the nation’s space sector. Hydra Space’s ambition is clear: to be a strategic partner for integrators and institutions seeking sovereign capabilities in satellite communications.
The company's speed is almost unbelievable: Alastair Broom, CEO and founder of Spinning Around, notes, “With Hydra Space, we went from idea to orbit-ready in exactly six months.”