Signed on June 24, 2026, the ULISSE program represents one of the largest contracts ever awarded by ESA in the field of electronic components. It reflects Europe’s growing recognition that microelectronics has become a strategic cornerstone of future space systems and marks an unprecedented level of European cooperation to build sovereign next-generation space technologies.

Paris, June 24, 2026 – The European Space Agency (ESA) and NanoXplore today formalized a new strategic partnership through the signing of the ULISSE program, a major initiative aimed at developing the technological foundations of Europe’s future 7nm space-grade FPGA capabilities.

Named ULISSE (ULtra deep Sub-mIcron interface and SyStem in package tEchnology), the program represents one of the largest contracts ever awarded by ESA in the field of electronic components and a major milestone for Europe’s space microelectronics ecosystem.

The agreement reflects a profound shift in how Europe approaches space sovereignty. As satellites become increasingly dependent on onboard computing power, artificial intelligence, advanced telecommunications and real-time data processing, microelectronics is now recognized as a critical strategic capability for future space missions.

Beyond its technological significance, ULISSE also marks a new milestone in European industrial cooperation. Bringing together partners from France, Belgium, Italy and the United Kingdom, with the support of ESA, national space agencies and the European Commission, the program represents an unprecedented level of coordination around a common objective: ensuring Europe can develop and deploy its own next-generation space microelectronics technologies.

Future generations of satellites will require dramatically greater computing capabilities to support onboard AI, in-orbit data processing and increasingly autonomous operations. The ULISSE program aims to prepare Europe for this transition by developing the key technological building blocks needed for future 7nm radiation-hardened FPGA technologies

The new activity will focus on advanced radiation-hardened IPs, design libraries and System-in-Package technologies. Together with complementary activities supported by CNES and the European Commission (via DG-DEFIS), it will contribute to the development of ULTRA7, Europe’s future flagship high-performance space FPGA platform

The program builds on more than a decade of collaboration between ESA and NanoXplore and brings together a European industrial consortium led by NanoXplore in France, with major contributions from partners in Belgium, Italy and the United Kingdom.

Édouard Lepape, CEO of NanoXplore, said: “The successful qualification of NG-ULTRA demonstrates that Europe can design and qualify state-of-the-art, radiation-hardened FPGA technologies for the most demanding space applications. With ESA’s continued support, we are now preparing the next step: developing the foundations of a 7nm European FPGA ecosystem. This is a critical milestone for the future of onboard computing, autonomous satellites and Europe’s technological sovereignty in space.

Ali Zadeh, Head of Avionics and EEE Division at ESA, said : “European industry continues to demonstrate strong competitiveness, and the development of 7nm technologies marks a first step in a continuous effort to harness the most advanced semiconductor technologies for space applications.

_______________________

About NanoXplore

NanoXplore is a French fabless company designing radiation-hardened FPGA components for high-reliability environments, specifically space and avionics. The company recently launched the NG-ULTRA, the world’s most advanced radiation-hardened FPGA SoC. With an international presence, NanoXplore is the European leader in the design and development of SoC FPGA technologies and a key partner to the major players in the aerospace sector.

About ESA

The European Space Agency (ESA) provides Europe’s gateway to space. ESA is an intergovernmental organisation, created in 1975. ESA’s mission is to shape the development of Europe’s space capability through innovation and collaboration across its 23 Member States, ensuring that investment in space delivers benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world. Learn more about ESA at www.esa.int

Press Contacts:

NanoXplore
Lucie Paturel
lucie.paturel@nocom.com
+33 6 11 69 09 59

ESA
media@esa.int