ROTTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS – SPHERICAL, a trailblazer in space electronics, is proud to announce a new customer contract with Dark to develop the Power Conditioning and Distribution Unit (PCDU) for Dark’s upcoming HADES mission. The HADES spacecraft is designed to enable in-space pursuit of hostile objects by combining advanced onboard sensor fusion with powerful and precise thrust systems.

Forging Space Defense

The HADES mission is part of an ambitious program - Interceptor -  to develop counter-space capabilities that can be rapidly deployed from Earth without pre-positioning. Equipped with advanced autonomous systems and designed for flexible payload integration, the Interceptor is set to perform a wide range of tasks—from emergency debris removal to rapid threat capture. With a strong emphasis on swift deployability and in-orbit autonomy, this mission is expected to mark a major leap forward in space defense technologies.

“Being able to reconfigure the power system is essential to industrial development,” said Guillaume Orvain, Co-founder of Dark. “It allows us to iterate rapidly on platform design while adapting to evolving orbital threats—ensuring the most effective response to hostility in space.”

A Trusted Power Solution

SPHERICAL’s contribution centers on delivering a PCDU that is both deeply configurable and highly reliable. Designed with cost-effectiveness and scalability in mind, this innovative power system will empower Dark to rapidly evolve the HADES platform as new challenges arise.

“We are thrilled to partner with Dark to enable software-defined spacecraft for their missions,” said Bastiaan Bom, CCO of SPHERICAL. “The demand for flexible, scalable power systems continues to grow, and Dark is one of several pioneering companies embracing this transformative approach.”

European Sovereignty and Reliability

SPHERICAL is committed to delivering a sovereign solution. Its European semiconductor supply chain offers robustness against external dependencies, as none of the key components are subject to ITAR export control restrictions. 

About SPHERICAL 

SPHERICAL is an industry leader in the design of dedicated semiconductors and uses them to build electronic subsystems for aerospace, starting with satellites. By designing semiconductors faster and more efficiently, we create satellite subsystems that are deeply software-configurable while maintaining high reliability for space applications. We enable satellite integrators to accelerate their design and assembly processes while minimizing project risks.

About Dark

Founded in 2022 by Clyde Laheyne and Guillaume Orvain, Dark is a French company specializing in space defense. It is developing an emergency intervention system designed to capture dangerous objects in orbit. Fully funded by private investments, Dark is supported by strategic funds such as Eurazeo, Frst, Kima Ventures, and Long Journey Ventures.