Faster communication with the heavens

The problem: With the number of European satellites on the increase, there is a need for faster data transmissions to and from space.

The answer: IngeniArs is developing equipment for a high-speed communication network for spacecraft named SpaceFibre, which is being developed by Dundee University in the UK.

SpaceFibre is able to operate over fibre optic and copper cable, supporting data rates of two gigabits in the near future and up to five gigabits long-term. It aims to complement the capabilities of the on-board networking standard SpaceWire, which is used by around 100 NASA and European Space Agency (ESA) craft, improving the data rate by a factor of 10. It is expected that SpaceFibre tech will be made mandatory by ESA for all future space developments in Europe.

The company: IngeniArs got off the ground with cash pooled by the founders, Luca Fanucci and Giuseppe Gentile. The company was awarded a €50,000 Horizon 2020 SME Instrument grant in May 2015 for the development of the SpaceFibre product line. In the next five years, IngeniArs will complete the development and market the start-up phase of its space products. With equipment for SpaceFibre still to be developed, IngeniArs claims first-mover advantage, noting that for now its only competitor is Dundee University.