SPiN Contributes to ESA-Funded Project Demonstrating Modular Space Technology for Space Applications

SPiN has successfully contributed to the completion of ExAMpl (Expandable, Affordable, Modular Time-Triggered Ethernet Solutions for Space Applications), an ESA-funded project developed in collaboration with Réaltra Space Systems Engineering and TTTech Aerospace.

Supported under the European Space Agency’s Future Launchers Preparatory Programme (FLPP) through the FIRST! initiative, the project validates a new generation of modular, high-performance communication systems for space transportation. Its results demonstrate a significant step forward toward enabling interoperable, scalable onboard data networks for launchers and spacecraft.

Image credit: ESA

At the centre of this project, there is the ExAMpl, a deterministic Ethernet switch jointly developed by Réaltra and TTTech, designed to meet the stringent requirements of spaceflight systems. This architecture can operate both as a deterministic network and as a standard Ethernet system, combining reliability, synchronisation precision, and high-speed data handling.

SPiN's role focused on integrating its MA61C CubeSat universal data node, validating its ability to extend the switch beyond purely Ethernet-based environments. The results confirm that the MA61C enables seamless interoperability between heterogeneous subsystems, including legacy and non-Ethernet technologies.

This capability addresses a critical bottleneck in spacecraft design: the complexity of integrating components from different suppliers using incompatible protocols. By enabling automatic adaptation between interfaces and standards, SPiN's technology allows these systems to coexist within a unified architecture.

As highlighted by SPiN CEO Ran Qedar: “By integrating our MA61C adapter with deterministic Ethernet systems, we are enabling faster, more flexible development cycles and bridging the gap between legacy and next-generation space technologies.”

The integration of SPiN's MA61C with the Réaltra–TTTech switch provides a practical pathway for spacecraft manufacturers to transition toward more modular designs without abandoning legacy investments. This significantly reduces integration risk while enabling greater flexibility in system design and supplier selection.

In parallel, the project validated the integration of Réaltra's GNSS module, which had previously been flown on the Ariane 6 inaugural mission. Its inclusion further confirms the architecture's scalability, supporting advanced functionalities such as precise positioning, velocity tracking, and timing synchronisation within a modular framework.

Through the FIRST! programme, ESA aims to accelerate the maturation of commercially viable technologies. ExAMpl contributes directly to this objective by demonstrating that modular, interoperable communication systems can be implemented without compromising performance or reliability.

For SPiN, the project marks a concrete validation of its approach to simplifying satellite manufacturing. By enabling seamless integration across diverse subsystems, SPiN is contributing to a shift toward standardised modularity—reducing development timelines, lowering costs, and enabling a more accessible and competitive space industry.

The project outcomes strengthen the European space ecosystem by enabling more agile development approaches, reducing system complexity, and supporting faster innovation cycles across the supply chain.