In outline is highlighted an example of the SCOC3 ‘spacecraft controller on a chip’ etched onto the silicon wafer. As its name suggests, it is capable of operating an entire spacecraft. The SCOC3 has been developed by ESA and Astrium, and itself combines more than 20 different IP cores from other sources. The SCOC3 is already flying in orbit, an integral part of missions including France’s Spot-6 Earth observation satellite launched in September 2012.