VC/PE
Stories about how space companies are raising money to take on next-gen missions.
VCs Predict the SpaceX IPO Will Lift the Entire Industry
After the public markets initiate their newest whale, what happens to the rest of the space industry still reliant on private capital?
Orbital Raises $5M Pre-Seed to Build ODC Constellation
Orbital’s ODC concept instead relies on a network of relatively smaller satellites, which can together handle large AI inference workloads, and remain in constant contact with the ground.
ICEYE, Isar Aerospace Announce Significant Funding Rounds
Finnish EO company ICEYE announced a €450M ($520M) Series F raised at a €10B ($12B) valuation.
NewOrbit Raises $18.5M to Build VLEO Spacecraft at Scale
While NewOrbit has yet to fly in any orbit, the company is targeting a first flight of its VLEO-capable NEO-1 satellite in 2028.
Juno Propulsion Raises $1.4M Pre-Seed for RDE Flight
The $1.4M pre-seed investment round will fund the completion of its first flight-ready rotating detonation engine (RDE)—called Project Iris—ahead of its inaugural demo mission in 2027.
Impulse Space Closes $500M Series D
“Often in a fundraise like this, there’s some narrative of, ‘Okay, well, now we move into this new line of business, or now we go build the factory in Ohio,’” President and COO Eric Romo told Payload. “There’s none of that here. This is really about, ‘We need more of the same. We need to continue on the same trajectory we’re on.’”
Observable Space Raises $90M Series A
Space-tech startup Observable Space has closed a $90M Series A to boost its production of laser and optical hardware—in addition to expanding internationally beyond the US.
European Space Startups Jockey for ‘Infrastructure’ Financing
Europe has a growth-stage-capital problem.
Star Catcher Closes $65M Series A
B Capital led the round, which was co-led by Shield Capital and Cerberus Ventures.
Aetherflux Rebrands, Pivots Business—and Raises $275M
To better align with its new business, Aetherflux is rebranding to Cowboy Space Corporation.
Lunar Outpost Closes $30M Series B, Unveils New Rover
The fundraise highlights the huge demand from investors looking to capitalize on NASA’s new vision for the US presence on the Moon.
Astranis Raises $450M+, Including $300M Series E
Snowpoint Ventures and Franklin Templeton co-led the round, which valued the company at $2.8B, according to a source close to the deal.
