Startups
Stories about the new players changing the space game.
Exclusive: Reflect Orbital Responds to its Critics
The space community is divided over whether Reflect Orbital’s sunlight-reflecting satellites are a bright idea.
Exclusive: Space Kinetic Awarded $50M for Space Maneuverability
Space Kinetic announced a $50M OTA award from the Space Force to develop Whirlwind—its space maneuverability and deployment system.
Astrolight, ATMOS Partner on Laser Comms Reentry Demo
Astrolight will fly a laser comms terminal onboard ATMOS’ PHOENIX 2 reentry vehicle during a 2027 demo mission.
Endeavor Optical Networks Emerges from Stealth
Endeavor Optical Networks emerged from stealth to build a constellation of optical communications satellites.
Neuraspace Raises €15.6M to Scale its SDA Service
As the number of satellites in orbit rises, and space becomes an increasingly important domain for defense ministries around the world, Neuraspace has been raking it in.
Xona Clears Final Regulatory Hurdle for PNT Constellation
Xona Space Systems has won FCC approval to broadcast its Pulsar navigation signals from a full satellite constellation, clearing the last regulatory hurdle before the company can scale deployment.
Kreios Taps Kongsberg NanoAvionics for 2028 VLEO Demo
Kreios’ debut mission will attempt to validate the company’s ability to fire an ABEP thruster at a range of altitudes below LEO.
True Anomaly Chases an Evading Target
True Anomaly said it had become the first company to execute an in-space pursuit of an evading target as part of VICTUS HAZE.
K2 Space Raises $500M Series D at $6.8B Valuation
K2 Space announced a $500M Series D, bringing K2’s total financing north of $1B since 2022.
Hop Aero Wants to Deliver Cargo via Rocket
Hop Aero launched on Y Combinator this week with their autonomous suborbital rocket: Rook.
Outlier Space Raises $7.3M to Build New Zealand’s First Reentry Vehicle
Outlier Space announced a $7.35M round yesterday to develop its microgravity research and return vehicle, scheduled to fly its debut mission in 2028.
ORBES Unveils Exo-ORB Maintenance Spacecraft
Exo-ORB is a ~12U, sub-26-kg spacecraft that’s designed to launch on-board customer infrastructure for ready-to-go inspection.
The UK and Space Florida Launch Joint Fund
The new fund supports projects with at least one partner headquartered in each region.
