DSI and Frontgrade Sign Agreement to Develop and Distribute Next Evolution of 2TB Mass Memory Unit for Space

Representatives from DSI Aerospace, a provider of high-performance electronics and mass storage systems for airborne and space applications, and Frontgrade Technologies, the leading provider of high-reliability, radiation-assured solutions for the defense, commercial, and civil industries, signed an agreement at Space Tech Expo to develop Frontgrade’s SpaceStor^™ 2TB Mass Memory Unit. After DSI completes design of the MMU, Frontgrade will assemble and test at its Colorado, U.S. facility, and serve as the exclusive storefront for SpaceStor in North America.  

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From left at podium: David Meyouhas, Frontgrade Vice President of Product Management, and Elias Hashem, Chief Executive Officer at DSI Aerospace, signed an agreement at Space Tech Expo to develop Frontgrade’s SpaceStorTM 2TB Mass Memory Unit. Frontgrade expects to introduce the new low SWAP-C MMU to the North American market in late 2025. (Photo: Business Wire)

Under this newly signed agreement, Frontgrade will leverage its own 60-year space flight heritage with DSI’s proven expertise in flash memory controller IP and full mass memory unit hardware. The SpaceStor MMU is being designed to meet the demanding requirements of today’s Space environment and missions where reliable data storage is paramount. This rad-tolerant MMU offers a flexible, low power, and cost-effective data storage solution for the harshest environments.  

David Meyouhas, Vice President of Product Management at Frontgrade, and Elias Hashem, Chief Executive Officer at DSI Aerospace, were joined at the signing ceremony by Bremen’s Governor, Dr. Andreas Bovenschulte; Bremen’s Senator for Economic Affairs, Ports and Transformation, Kristina Vogt; and Dr. Walther Pelzer, Director General of the German Space Agency at DLR.  

“By bringing together Frontgrade’s extensive subsystem and flash heritage with DSI’s proven mass memory solutions, we will bring to our customers the next generation in high-performance Mass Memory Units needed to ultimately span the entire range of missions from LEO to GEO and beyond,” Meyouhas said. “We look forward to disrupting the MMU market by introducing a low SWAP-C, 2-terabyte product to North America.”  

The SpaceStor MMU benefits from a combination of well-established software, firmware, and hardware elements carrying flight heritage into producing a powerful and scalable space-assured, mass memory solution.  

Hashem added, “We are thrilled to enter into this agreement with such a well-established partner in the North American market. Together, we bring decades of expertise, combining our rich heritage of state-of-the-art solutions that will be incorporated into Frontgrade’s SpaceStor -- engineered in Germany and made in the USA.”  

The SpaceStor MMU is provided in a 3U SpaceVPX form factor with a mezzanine that implements up to 2TB of EDAC protected NAND storage and, as a result, can be easily and rapidly customized for mission-specific storage requirements. Frontgrade and DSI expect to begin shipping prototypes in late 2025.  

About Frontgrade  

Frontgrade Technologies is the leading provider of high-reliability, radiation-hardened solutions for defense, intelligence, commercial, and civil applications. The Company offers a complementary and integrated suite of mission critical electronics. Key products include rad-hard components, mission processing subsystems, high power amplifiers, custom ASICs, motion control systems, waveguides, antennas, and power management solutions. For more information, visit www.frontgrade.com.  

About DSI Aerospace GmbH  

DSI Aerospace GmbH, established in 1997 in Germany, is an enterprise with a notable track record of over 150 failure-free years in space. With around 105 employees, DSI specializes in the development of high-end electronics for Earth Observation, Science & Exploration, and Space Safety missions. Their product line includes On-Board Computers, Data Handling and Processing Units and Ground Support Equipment, designed for optimal performance in space applications.  

The company offers comprehensive services supported by advanced facilities for design, testing, and development. DSI Aerospace is dedicated to advancing space technology through innovative solutions and reliable products.  

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