The European Space Agency has signed a landmark contract with French semiconductor specialist NanoXplore to develop Europe’s next-generation sovereign space FPGA technology. Signed on 24 June 2026, the ULISSE programme (ULtra deep Sub-mIcron interface and SyStem in package technology) is described as one of the largest electronic component contracts ever awarded by ESA.
ULISSE targets the creation of a cutting-edge 7nm FPGA tailored specifically for space applications, a domain where European independence has become a strategic priority. The programme marks a significant shift in ESA’s approach to reinforcing Europe’s technological sovereignty in space hardware, moving beyond reliance on non-European sources for advanced, radiation-hardened processing components.