MORAL · Project

European ITAR-Free Radiation-Hardened Microcontroller Ready for the Small Satellite Market

digitalTestedTRL 6

Right now, if you want to build a satellite in Europe, you often have to buy American-made computer chips — and those come with strict export rules (called ITAR) that can delay your project by months or block it entirely. The MORAL team built a fully European microcontroller chip that can survive the harsh radiation of outer space, complete with its own operating system and software tools. Think of it like building Europe's own engine for satellites instead of importing one with strings attached. They even manufactured a working circuit board with the chip on it and planned to launch a company to sell it.

By the numbers

consortium partners

countries involved (DE, ES, IT)

80%

industry ratio in consortium

SME partners

TRL 6

target technology readiness level

total project deliverables

industry partners

The business problem

What needed solving

European satellite manufacturers currently depend on US-made radiation-hardened microcontrollers that come with ITAR export restrictions. These restrictions create supply chain delays, limit which markets you can sell to, and put your entire program at the mercy of foreign government approval. As the small satellite market grows rapidly, Europe needs its own sovereign chip supply to compete globally.

The solution

What was built

The project built a fully European, ITAR-free radiation-hardened microcontroller based on the IHP Peaktop architecture with a European instruction set. A demonstrator PCB with the chip was manufactured and assembled. The package includes middleware, a Real Time Operating System (RTOS), and a complete software toolchain — everything needed to develop and deploy space applications on the chip.

Audience

Who needs this

Small satellite manufacturers and NewSpace startups needing ITAR-free componentsSatellite system integrators building flight and payload computersEuropean defense contractors requiring sovereign space-grade processorsSpace agencies seeking supply chain independence from US componentsSatellite constellation operators scaling production and needing reliable chip supply

Business applications

Who can put this to work

Small satellite manufacturing

SME

Target: Small satellite manufacturers and NewSpace startups

If you are a small satellite manufacturer dealing with ITAR export restrictions that delay your supply chain and limit your market reach — this project developed a fully European radiation-hardened microcontroller with its own RTOS and toolchain, designed to reach TRL 6. It removes your dependency on US-controlled components and lets you sell satellites to any customer worldwide without export license headaches.

Space systems integration

mid-size

Target: Satellite system integrators and payload developers

If you are a payload or satellite systems integrator struggling with long lead times and regulatory paperwork for radiation-hardened processors — MORAL built an ITAR-free microcontroller on a European instruction set architecture, with middleware and development tools included. The demonstrator PCB has been manufactured, meaning you can evaluate integration into your flight computers today.

Defense and government space programs

enterprise

Target: European space agencies and defense contractors

If you are a European defense or government space contractor required to use sovereign, non-ITAR components for sensitive missions — MORAL delivers a microcontroller built entirely within Europe by a consortium of 5 partners across 3 countries. The 80% industry ratio in the consortium means this was designed with manufacturability and real deployment in mind, not just academic research.

Frequently asked

Quick answers

What does this microcontroller actually cost compared to current ITAR-restricted alternatives?

The project data does not include pricing information. However, the consortium planned to establish a new European company specifically to sell the microcontroller, which suggests commercial pricing was part of the business plan. Contact the team for current pricing and licensing terms.

Can this be manufactured at industrial scale?

The consortium includes 4 industry partners (80% industry ratio) and 2 SMEs, which indicates a strong manufacturing orientation. A demonstrator PCB with the MORAL microcontroller chip was manufactured and assembled. The project explicitly planned to create a company to produce and sell the microcontroller at scale for the trans-continental market.

What is the IP and licensing situation?

The project was specifically designed to be ITAR-free, meaning no US export restrictions apply. The instruction set architecture (IHP Peaktop) is European-developed. Based on available project data, the consortium planned to commercialize through a new jointly-held company, so licensing would likely be handled through that entity.

What technology readiness level has been achieved?

The project targeted TRL 6, which means demonstration in a relevant environment. A demonstrator PCB with the MORAL microcontroller chip was manufactured and assembled, confirming at least prototype-level hardware exists. The project ran for 4 years and closed in January 2024.

How hard is it to integrate this into existing satellite designs?

MORAL includes not just the microcontroller but also ITAR-free middleware, a Real Time Operating System (RTOS), and a complete toolchain. This means you get the full development stack needed to write and deploy software on the chip, reducing integration effort compared to a bare processor.

Is this only for small satellites or can it be used elsewhere?

While the primary focus is small satellites, the project objective mentions flight control computers, payload computers, mission control, earth observation, and navigation applications. Any space application requiring a radiation-hardened, export-restriction-free European processor is a potential use case.

What regulatory advantages does ITAR-free status provide?

ITAR restrictions can delay satellite projects by months due to export licensing requirements, and completely block sales to certain countries. An ITAR-free microcontroller means European satellite manufacturers can sell to any market worldwide without US government approval, opening up the entire trans-continental market.

Consortium

Who built it

The MORAL consortium is unusually industry-heavy for a research project: 4 out of 5 partners are from industry (80%), with only 1 pure research organization (IHP GmbH, the coordinator). Two partners are SMEs, signaling agility and commercial intent. The consortium spans 3 countries — Germany, Spain, and Italy — covering key European space industry hubs. Most importantly, the project objective explicitly states the plan to establish a new European company held by the core partners to commercialize the microcontroller. This is not a typical academic exercise — it was designed from day one as a path to market.

IHP GMBH - LEIBNIZ INSTITUTE FOR HIGH PERFORMANCE MICROELECTRONICSCoordinator · DE
SYSGO GMBHparticipant · DE
REDCAT DEVICES SRLparticipant · IT
ABSINT ANGEWANDTE INFORMATIK GMBHparticipant · DE
THALES ALENIA SPACE ESPANA SAparticipant · ES

How to reach the team

IHP GmbH - Leibniz Institute for High Performance Microelectronics, Germany. Use SciTransfer's coordinator lookup service for direct contact details.

Order a report on this consortium See IHP GMBH - LEIBNIZ INSTITUTE FOR HIGH PERFORMANCE MICROELECTRONICS profile →

Next steps

Talk to the team behind this work.

Want an introduction to the MORAL team to discuss licensing, integration, or supply agreements? SciTransfer connects businesses with EU research teams — contact us for a briefing.

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