Spherical Systems: Rebuilding Satellite Electronics from the Chip Up

The space industry relies on electronic designs rooted in a 50-year-old paradigm. Satellites, particularly the rapidly expanding small satellite and CubeSat market, are constrained by off-the-shelf components and fragmented integration processes. This approach limits performance, reliability, and scalability. Spherical Systems proposes a direct challenge to this status quo: custom semiconductor design for satellite electronic subsystems. Their "satellite-on-a-chip" technology aims to deliver software-configurable power management systems. The company claims these systems are 5x more powerful, 5x more reliable, and 100x more software-configurable than traditional methods. Founded in 2022 by Thomas Parry, a former Clyde Space engineer and semiconductor design expert, and Bastiaan Bom, a commercial strategist, Spherical Systems has grown to a team of 12. They completed a €1M pre-seed round in November 2023 and are now targeting a €5M seed round for Q3 2025. This is not a minor iteration on existing hardware. This is a fundamental re-architecture of how satellite electronics are conceived and built, moving control from external suppliers to internal design.

The Legacy Problem in Space Electronics

Space systems operate under severe constraints. For decades, the standard practice involved integrating off-the-shelf components into complex electronic subsystems. This method is manual, fragmented, and inherently limits the potential of modern satellites. It introduces points of failure and restricts the ability to adapt or upgrade functionality post-launch. The reliance on generic components means systems are not optimized for the specific demands of space, leading to larger, heavier, and less efficient designs. This structural problem becomes more acute as the demand for smaller, more capable satellites grows.

Custom Silicon as a Vertical Integration Strategy

Spherical Systems addresses this by adopting a vertically integrated semiconductor design approach. Their methodology is software-first, emphasizing rapid design cycles and iterative improvement. They develop proprietary chip design tools, allowing for deep optimization. The company explicitly draws inspiration from Apple's strategy of designing custom chips optimized for specific system requirements, rather than relying on generic, multi-purpose components. This allows for a full-stack control from silicon to software, aiming for smaller form factors, enhanced reliability, and greater software configurability.

Performance Claims and Technical Basis

The company asserts its systems are 5x more powerful, 5x more reliable, and 100x more software-configurable. These figures are attributed to their proprietary semiconductors and the integrated design of their power management systems. By designing the silicon specifically for satellite applications, they eliminate the compromises inherent in adapting commercial off-the-shelf parts. The software-configurable aspect means that satellite functionality can be defined and updated at a much deeper level, offering flexibility previously unavailable. This is a direct consequence of owning the silicon design.

Trajectory and Market Entry

Spherical Systems was founded in 2022. Their €1M pre-seed funding, secured in November 2023, enabled the team to expand from two to twelve full-time employees. The first chips are scheduled to enter production in 2024. An in-orbit demonstration is planned for mid-2025. The company's selection for the NATO DIANA Accelerator Program, as the sole Dutch space participant, provides validation and access to a specific market segment. This timeline indicates a rapid progression from concept to hardware deployment.

Ecosystem and Strategic Positioning

Headquartered in Rotterdam, Netherlands, Spherical Systems benefits from its incubation at ESA BIC Noordwijk, with support from the European Space Agency and the Netherlands Space Office. This places them within the South Holland aerospace cluster, leveraging a regional semiconductor ecosystem and the ChipNL Competence Centre. This geographic and institutional support provides access to talent, infrastructure, and strategic partnerships, which are critical for a hardware-intensive startup. The location is not incidental; it is a deliberate choice to capitalize on existing technical and industrial strengths.