Space Micro Partnership with
ASU’s NewSpace Program

For the past six years, Space Micro—a small business focusing on space microelectronics, computing and communications technology—has partnered with Arizona State University to research, design and develop chips for satellites and space probes.

With ASU’s Space Technology and Science (“NewSpace”) Initiative, which brings pioneering expertise to the commercial space sector, Space Micro CEO David Strobel says moving forward, his business can work with ASU on:

• Imaging instruments
• Taking pictures during space expeditions
• Sending data back from missions to Mars (such as information on soil samples)

In the past, Space Micro has concentrated solely on chip development with ASU’s NewSpace Program. Strobel says the primary challenge with hardware for satellites and probes is the abundant amount of radiation in space.

“We need to be able to develop microelectronics to withstand that radiation,” Strobel says.

Together, the two organizations have developed chips that were placed in NASA satellites, as well as commercial satellites (think Google Maps). And in the near future, they’re looking forward to accomplishing much more.

A Little Background

Strobel says he’s been involved in the space electronics business for more than 40 years. Throughout that time, he attended numerous industry conferences, and that’s how he first connected with ASU’s professors and their high degree of quality research being conducted on campus.

Strobel began seeing the same ASU professors over and over again, at different conferences. They talked, connected and over time, the partnership between Space Micro and ASU developed.

Benefits of Working with ASU NewSpace

For Strobel, partnering with ASU’s NewSpace Program has been a dream. Working with ASU has many benefits, he says, including:

• Entrepreneurial feel: Space Micro is a growing business, and ASU NewSpace is a growing initiative
• Streamlined business decisions: ASU NewSpace can act quickly and move on an item
• Technical and business savviness: The combination of both assets makes Strobel’s job easier
• Easy to work with: Streamlined communication and lots of collaboration
• Highly knowledgeable professors: Offering long-standing success and understanding in space
• Immense capability in space programs: Helps Space Micro accomplish and achieve their vision

From a business standpoint, Strobel says the greatest advantages of working with ASU include expanding his small business to engage competitively in the commercial space industry, and the access to cutting-edge equipment and laboratories for research and analysis.

“At ASU NewSpace, they have culled together a volume of experienced faculty and researchers that  understand the harsh environment of space and a record of success,” Strobel says. “All of that knowledge, that expertise, is right at our fingertips. The possibilities of what we can accomplish together are limitless.”