Uploaded February 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Experience our maXTouch® ultra-wide touchscreen with Knob-on-Display™ (KoD™) technology and easy-to-use touch library solutions for buttons, sliders, wheels and proximity. Test our Hands-Off-Detection (HOD), radiant heating, user detect and inductive wheel position sensing for your next automotive design.
Experience our maXTouch® ultra-wide touchscreen with Knob-on-Display™ (KoD™) technology and easy-to-use touch library solutions for buttons, sliders, wheels and proximity. Test our Hands-Off-Detection (HOD), radiant heating, user detect and inductive wheel position sensing for your next automotive design.







![Microchip Is... Trade-Offs Between Traditional and New Space
Interview With David Bail, Director of Oscillator Products at Microchip Technology Inc.
David Bail, Director of Oscillator Products at Microchip Technology, discusses the role of microchip timing in space and the significant changes occurring in the space market.
David explains how the space industry has evolved over the past couple of decades, shifting from a focus on high reliability and government contracts to a more commercialized approach driven by the rapid deployment of mega constellations. This transformation has led engineers to prioritize cost and lead time, often opting for commercial off-the-shelf parts while still maintaining a calculated approach to reliability.
The conversation covers various applications of satellites today, including communications, global asset tracking, earth observation, and even space tourism. David emphasizes the importance of balancing risk and reliability, especially as new space ventures often involve thousands of satellites, which necessitates a different mindset compared to traditional space missions.
David also discusses the technical challenges of creating solutions that can withstand the harsh conditions of space, including radiation tolerance and mechanical stress during launch. He highlights Microchips long history in the space sector and how their extensive product portfolio, which includes both quartz and atomic timing solutions, positions them as a trusted partner for customers.
Find out more about Microchip’s solutions for space application design here: https://www.microchip.com/en-us/solutions/aerospace-and-defense/space
Time Stamps
[00:27] – Meet David Bail: Director of Oscillator Products
[02:54] – Driving Forces Behind New Space Applications
[05:14] – Engineers Mindset Shift in New Space
[08:16] – What is Sacrificed in New Space Applications?
[12:43] – Microchips Adaptation to New Space Market
[14:53] – Overview of Microchips Product Families
[27:16] – Microchips Contributions to Space Missions
[29:29] – Key Takeaways on Microchip and Timing in Space
Follow David Bail
David Bail on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-bail-b36a4111/
If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe to our podcast (https://microchipis.podbean.com/) for more discussions about Microchip’s smart, connected and secure embedded control solutions and connect with us on social media to stay updated on upcoming episodes. Wed also appreciate it if you could leave us a review on your favorite podcast platform. Microchip Is... Trade-Offs Between Traditional and New Space](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/a0nQX4udzUA/mqdefault.jpg)


