Spherical and the EIC Accelerator: Custom Chips for Satellite Power

Spherical, a Rotterdam company led by chief executive Thomas Parry and co-founder Bastiaan Bom, designs its own chips for satellites and builds them into power conditioning and distribution units (PCDUs), the boxes that manage solar arrays, batteries and power to a spacecraft's systems. Its EIC Accelerator project receives an EU contribution of €2,499,999 and runs from October 2024 to March 2027, according to CORDIS. The aim is a scalable, software-defined PCDU line built on in-house chips from an "Agile Semiconductor Engine" design toolchain, with the report projecting €30 million a year in avionics sales by 2030.

In its first reporting period, the report says, a flight-representative PCDU was designed, built and passed thermal vacuum, vibration and electromagnetic compatibility testing, "confirming its readiness for in-orbit demonstration", and a first version was "integrated onto a spacecraft", according to CORDIS. The design automation framework is said to cut chip design time by more than 50%, and a failure analysis identified more than 130 failure modes with mitigations. In February 2025 Spherical said its first in-orbit demonstration was "planned for mid-2025", according to Aerospace Delta. Its news page does not report that demonstration.

Where Spherical Stands Now

Spherical keeps signing missions. It supplies the PCDU for Orbital Paradigm's Learn to Fly re-entry mission, the power system for Blackswan Space's in-orbit servicing mission (April 2026) and the full electrical power system for Sophia Space's Athena project (August 2026), and with the Royal Netherlands Aerospace Centre won Dutch defence funding for a radiation-aware chip design workflow, according to its news page. It opened a UK subsidiary in July 2025. Contract values have not been disclosed. Its Dutch accounts were not accessible in free sources.

The Technology: One Chip Instead of Many Parts

The EIC report describes satellite electronics as built from standardised commodity components, some subject to US export controls. Spherical designs application-specific chips that combine functions, which it says makes its PCDU five times smaller, configurable in software and easier to mass-produce, according to INNOspace Masters. The report says European chip fabrication reduces dependence on ITAR-restricted parts.

What the EIC Award Promised, and What the Record Shows

The project runs to March 2027, so it is too early to judge it. Ground qualification is done and the design toolchain exists. Flight heritage, which satellite builders demand before buying, has not been publicly achieved, although several customers have already committed to flying Spherical hardware.

1. PCDU qualified on groundDeliveredThree campaigns.
2. Chip design toolchainBuiltProject report.
3. In-orbit demonstrationNot reportedPlanned mid-2025.
4. Commercial contractsSignedThree missions.

The Money

The award was blended finance; no EIC Fund investment has been announced. Spherical's disclosed backers include the regional investor UNIIQ; round sizes are not public.

What Cannot Be Checked

Why Europe Should Care

The report frames Spherical as a route to European autonomy in space electronics, including for defence uses. Its selection for Dutch defence funding and in-orbit servicing missions fits that. Flight heritage is what it still lacks.

The Verdict

Spherical and the EIC have not been asked for comment for this article. It is based entirely on public records and published statements, linked throughout.