Growing a business from mobile apps to space software with Proba-3

Growing a business from mobile apps to space software with Proba-3
by Robert Schreiber
Berlin, Germany (SPX) Dec 16, 2024

A central aspect of ESA's mission is fostering innovation by welcoming new players into the space industry. A prime example is N7 Mobile, a Polish software company that transitioned from creating smartphone apps to developing critical software for Proba-3, ESA's dual-spacecraft mission aimed at studying the Sun's corona.

Proba-3, launched on December 5, 2024, consists of two satellites that work in unison to achieve a precise solar eclipse, enabling detailed observations of the Sun's corona. The mission's primary instrument, ASPIICS (Association of Spacecraft for Polarimetric and Imaging Investigation of the Corona of the Sun), relies on software designed entirely by N7 Mobile - a significant step for the company and the industry.

"Proba-3 is a relatively small experimental mission with contributions from newer ESA Member States, including Romania, Czech Republic, and Poland," said ESA's Proba-3 Project Manager Damian Galano. "Rather than using an established contractor, we entrusted a new entrant with developing software from scratch, and the results exceeded expectations."

From Smartphones to Space Systems

N7 Mobile began as a developer of mobile apps but decided to explore the space sector, leveraging its team's prior experience with projects like Poland's first satellite PW-Sat 1 and ESA's educational initiatives. According to Michal Mosdorf of N7 Space, "Our work with CubeSat projects and collaborations with ESA inspired us to expand commercially. Joining the ASPIICS consortium marked the beginning of a decade-long effort to develop sophisticated space software."

The ASPIICS instrument required a dedicated onboard computer, and N7 Space was tasked with creating software capable of processing telecommands, managing mission data, and maintaining the satellites' precise alignment for extended solar observations. This challenge involved over 12,000 hours of meticulous software development.

"This project demanded a completely different approach compared to mobile app development," Michal explained. "Unlike apps, space software must function flawlessly without real-time fixes. We invested heavily in a simulator to test our software extensively before integration."

Adapting to Space Standards

Developing software for space presented unique hurdles, including compliance with ESA's hardware ecosystem, such as the LEON-3 microprocessor, and adherence to rigorous European Coordination for Space Standardisation (ECSS) guidelines.

Michal noted, "We had to master ESA's formal processes for software design and testing. This ensured verification, traceability, and high code quality. At the same time, we benefited from tools like ESA's TASTE environment, which streamlined development for real-time systems."

Expanding into the Space Industry

N7 Space's success with ASPIICS proved transformative. "This project was one of our most challenging but also invaluable," Michal said. "Since then, we've expanded to 25 specialized engineers and completed over 30 projects."

In addition to continuing collaborations with ESA on missions like Hera and Ariel, N7 Space supports the European Southern Observatory's Extremely Large Telescope control systems. The company also offers pre-qualified space products to help other organizations accelerate their software development.

Through partnerships, including a joint venture with Belgium's SPACEBEL group, N7 Space has extended its reach into global markets. "We've grown beyond Europe, attracting customers in diverse sectors thanks to the credibility established through ESA partnerships," Michal added.

As Proba-3 embarks on its mission, N7 Space is already preparing for new challenges, demonstrating how fostering new players in the space industry leads to sustained innovation.