NanoXplore and STMicroelectronics deliver European FPGA for space missions
NanoXplore and STMicroelectronics have announced the qualification of NG-ULTRA for space applications. This radiation-hardened SoC FPGA has been designed specifically for space applications, including low- and medium-earth orbit constellations, and is set to be used in numerous satellite equipment systems, including flagship missions such as Galileo, Copernicus, and potentially IRIS.
This qualification marks a major industrial and technological milestone for the European space ecosystem: NG-ULTRA is the first product qualified to ESCC 9030, a new European standard dedicated to high-performance micro-circuits in flip-chip’ed on organic substrate or plastic package. This standard delivers the reliability required for space applications while enabling a transition away from traditional ceramic-packaged solutions – well suited for deep-space but heavier and more expensive – marking a key step forward for constellations and higher-volume missions.
The “new space” dynamic (constellations, Low and Medium Earth Orbits, higher volumes) is transforming requirements for onboard digital equipment and driving a shift in scale: there is a simultaneous need for greater computing power, controlled power consumption, and contained costs compatible with large-scale deployments. NG-ULTRA addresses this challenge by enabling more data to be processed directly in orbit (edge computing), thereby limiting transmission bottlenecks between space and ground.
NG-ULTRA targets strategic functions such as: on-board computers, data management and routing between sub-systems, image and video processing (real-time compression and encoding), Software Defined Radio (SDR) – enabling remote evolution of communication modes, and onboard autonomy (detection, recognition, supervision).
Beyond performance, this program embodies a strategic ambition to secure a sovereign and sustainable European supply chain for long-duration missions by reducing critical dependencies. For NG-ULTRA, the industrial framework combines design, manufacturing, assembly, and testing capabilities across European sites, with the aim of reconciling competitiveness, volume production, and space-grade reliability.
In addition to its own R&D and design centre in Paris, Grenoble and Montpellier, NanoXplore leverages various STMicroelectronics facilities in Europe, including the Grenoble R&D and design centre, the 300mm digital fab of Crolles, the space-specialist packaging facility in Rennes (France), the test and reliability site in Grenoble (France) and Agrate (Italy) and additional redundant qualified sites in Europe.
With an “all-in-one” SoC (System on Chip) architecture designed specifically for platform and onboard computing applications, NG-ULTRA combines a multi-core processor with programmable hardware on a single chip. This architecture allows for greater design agility, reduces electronic board complexity and component count, and optimises latency, mass, and power consumption.
NG-ULTRA is built on STMicroelectronics’ 28nm FD-SOI digital technology platform, recognised for its advantages in energy efficiency, resistance to space radiation and advanced architecture features. Combined with a unique advanced radiation hardening technology, the NG-ULTRA is built to survive the thermal cycles, shocks, and vibrations of launch and long-term orbital life so as to ensure best in class performances and durability in the harsh space environment throughout the mission lifetime.
The NG-ULTRA has been designed to operate reliably in harsh radiation environments, offering a Total Ionising Dose (TID) tolerance of up to 50 krad (Si) to ensure long-term performance. It also demonstrates strong resilience to single-event effects, with Single Event Latch-up (SEL) immunity tested up to 65 MeV·cm²/mg and Single Event Upset (SEU) immunity validated for Linear Energy Transfer (LET) levels exceeding 60 MeV·cm²/mg.
NG-ULTRA integrates a full SoC based on quad core Arm® Cortex® R52 and provides high computational capability (537k LUTs + 32 Mb RAM) to address the most complex onboard computer requirements.
Its streamlined architecture drastically reduces PCB complexity and system mass—two of the most critical constraints in space design. By minimising the component count, the NG-ULTRA simultaneously lowers total power consumption and project costs while increasing overall system reliability.
In addition, the SRAM-based architecture of the NG-ULTRA enables an adaptive hardware approach, allowing for unlimited on-orbit reconfiguration. This “hardware-as-software” flexibility allows operators to update functionality post-launch, adapt to evolving communication standards, or optimise the chip for different mission phases. The NG-ULTRA thus provides a future-proof platform that extends the operational relevance of assets long after they leave the launchpad.
To facilitate adoption, NG-ULTRA is also available as an evaluation kit — a complete prototyping platform that allows to rapidly validate performance and interfaces, reduce integration risks, and accelerate software and onboard logic development prior to flight-board production.
