• ISRO will launch three new satellites—NVS-03, NVS-04, and NVS-05—by 2026 to restore full functionality to India’s regional navigation system, NavIC.

• Only four of the original IRNSS satellites remain operational, prompting efforts to reduce reliance on foreign systems and strengthen national navigation infrastructure.

• India and the U.S. will launch the jointly developed NISAR Earth observation satellite on July 30, offering open-access data for climate, agriculture, and disaster management worldwide.

• Space Insider tracks space tech news in real time and delivers trend-driven insights to help decision-makers invest, partner, and innovate in the space industry. See how our data can work for you.

PRESS RELEASE — India is taking steps to strengthen its satellite infrastructure on two fronts: expanding its indigenous navigation satellite system and launching a major Earth observation mission in collaboration with the United States.

According to a recent post from Indian Express, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will launch three additional satellites for its Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS) by 2026. The first of these, NVS-03, is slated for launch by the end of this year, with NVS-04 and NVS-05 to follow at six-month intervals. The announcement was made in a written response to Parliament by Union Minister of State for Space Dr. Jitendra Singh.

IRNSS, also known operationally as NavIC (Navigation with Indian Constellation), was originally envisioned as a seven-satellite constellation providing navigation coverage over India and a 1,500 km radius around it. While 11 satellites have been launched to date, only four are currently operational. Two satellites failed to reach their intended orbits, and one, NVS-02, launched in January during ISRO’s 100th mission, suffered a technical malfunction during orbit-raising and could not be placed in its designated slot.

The new batch of satellites will help restore full functionality to the NavIC system, which provides regional positioning services similar to GPS and Galileo but tailored for Indian strategic and civilian use. The move comes amid broader efforts to reduce reliance on foreign navigation systems and enhance resilience for national security, transportation, and disaster response.

Meanwhile, India is also preparing for the upcoming launch of the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) mission, scheduled for July 30 at 17:40 IST from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. As reported by DD News, this joint initiative between NASA and ISRO is a milestone in international Earth observation cooperation and space technology transfer.

NISAR is the first Earth observation satellite co-developed by the two agencies, with a combined investment exceeding $1.5 billion. The 2,392-kg satellite will be deployed into a sun-synchronous orbit aboard the GSLV-F16 rocket—the first time India’s GSLV has been used for this orbital configuration. The satellite’s payload includes dual-frequency synthetic aperture radars: an L-band SAR supplied by NASA and an S-band SAR developed by ISRO, mounted on a 12-meter deployable antenna.

The mission will provide global revisit data every 12 days, enabling frequent observation of Earth’s land and ice surfaces. With an open-data policy, NISAR will make its data publicly available within 24 to 48 hours, and in near-real time during emergencies. This capability is expected to support applications in climate monitoring, agriculture, and disaster management across both developed and developing countries.

Describing the launch as a “defining moment in India-US space cooperation,” Dr. Jitendra Singh emphasized the broader impact of the mission. “NISAR will not only serve India and the United States but will also provide critical data for countries around the world,” he stated. The initiative is seen as a tangible example of India’s growing participation in global science efforts and its evolving role as a technology partner to the international community.

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• The UK has a growing role in Europe’s spacecraft ecosystem, contributing to over 1,000 launched spacecraft through 28 core entities across ownership, integration, and manufacturing.

• While commercial activity dominates by volume, civil and military missions speak to a more balanced and diverse national capability, especially when excluding megaconstellation programs.

• Companies such as SSTL, Airbus UK, and Alba Orbital illustrate the UK’s strengths in smallsat innovation, vertically integrated mission delivery, and emerging interplanetary infrastructure.

• Download the full UK Spacecraft Market Map for detailed data on sector distribution, program timelines, and the organizations contributing to the UK.

As the global space economy moves towards distributed infrastructure, national resilience, and commercial constellations, the United Kingdom has gained strategic prominence within Europe’s spacecraft landscape. While not yet a manufacturing powerhouse on the scale of the United States, the UK has steadily expanded its role in spacecraft development, particularly in smallsat production, mission integration, and dual-use capabilities spanning the commercial, civil, and defense sectors. Building on its historic strength in satellite services and downstream applications, the UK is now advancing toward a more integrated position in the broader space value chain.

Space Insider’s UK Spacecraft Market Map identifies 28 primary entities responsible for Spacecraft Ownership, Operations, System Integration, and Bus Manufacturing. Collectively, these organizations have contributed to the launch of over 1,000 spacecraft since 2010, speaking to a well-developed and growing industrial footprint.

For this market map, we include only primary contractors—UK-based entities (or UK subsidiaries) that take on end-to-end responsibility for spacecraft ownership, operations, system integration, or bus manufacturing. The scope is limited to missions launched between 2010 and June 25, 2025. We exclude subcontractors, payload and component manufacturers, launch providers, and any companies whose spacecraft have not yet launched, including planned or upcoming missions.

A Spacecraft Ecosystem in Motion

Space Insider tracks more than 1,000 organizations across the UK space ecosystem, spanning upstream, midstream, and downstream segments. Within this larger network, our focused analysis surfaced 28 central entities involved directly in delivering complete spacecraft missions. These include commercial giants, government collaborators, and integrated smallsat developers whose contributions collectively define the backbone of the UK’s orbital output.

These companies have driven the launch of 1,018 spacecraft between 2010 and mid-2025, speaking to the UK’s capability to both support international missions and lead them. From high-throughput broadband satellites to agile CubeSats and lunar communications relays, the UK spacecraft sector is increasingly diverse in both technical output and mission type.

Mission Segmentation: Communication Connectivity Leads the Way

The lion’s share of UK spacecraft activity across civil, military and commercial sectors has centered on communications missions, with significant UK involvement in global programs such as Eutelsat OneWeb. Between 2019 and 2024, Eutelsat OneWeb launched 656 low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites as part of its first-generation broadband constellation. While manufacturing was based in the United States, the company maintained operational and strategic presence in the UK prior to its merger with France-based Eutelsat. Eutelsat OneWeb’s scale and partial UK footprint reflect the country’s broader role in enabling commercial satellite constellations, even when final integration occurs abroad.

In the Earth observation category, Alba Orbital stands out for its PocketQube platforms, which are ultra-compact 5 cm pico-satellites used for Earth imaging, remote sensing experiments, and educational missions. Through its Unicorn satellite platform and Albapod deployers, Alba also enables third-party payloads to reach orbit, allowing for ultra-low-cost access to space.

As the world’s leading PocketQube rideshare provider, Alba has launched over half of all PocketQubes ever flown, helping democratize access to orbit for universities, startups, and emerging space nations. Alba’s integrated model spans ownership, bus development, system integration, and operations, making it one of the few vertically aligned spacecraft companies in Europe.

Sector Breakdown: Commercial-Led by Volume, Civil and Military by Mission Diversity

Commercial Sector

• Over three-quarters of spacecraft launched with UK involvement fall under the commercial category.

• Airbus UK and Spire Global UK lead the manufacturing effort, contributing both to large-scale constellations and agile cubesat missions.

Civil Sector

• Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd. (SSTL) remains the UK’s most prominent civil spacecraft provider. Its portfolio includes:
  • FORMOSAT 7-01 to 7-06, part of the COSMIC-2A constellation, developed in collaboration with Taiwan’s NSPO and the US NOAA.
  • These spacecraft support essential functions in global weather forecasting, climate modeling, and space weather monitoring.

Military and Dual-Use Missions

• SSTL has also contributed to the UK’s defense space architecture, delivering two spacecraft for national defense, including one commissioned by the Ministry of Defence.

• This dual-use capability speaks to a broader trend of integration between commercial innovation and military-grade space assets.

Who’s Who: Key Players in UK Spacecraft Development

The UK spacecraft market is overall defined by a mix of legacy expertise and agile upstarts:

• SSTL: A early of small satellite development, SSTL has led dozens of government and international missions.

• Airbus UK: The country’s largest aerospace manufacturer, Airbus is driving major national programs such as Skynet 6A.

• In-Space Missions: Known for rapid mission development and hosted payload services, now operating under BAE Systems.

• AAC Clyde Space: A specialist in small and nanosatellite technologies, AAC Clyde Space designs, manufactures, and operates advanced spacecraft for commercial, institutional, and scientific customers worldwide.

• Open Cosmos: Offers end-to-end mission delivery, targeting affordability and rapid deployment for emerging markets.

• Alba Orbital: A vertically integrated developer of ultra-compact satellites, launching multiple picosats per year.

• Spire Global UK: Provides weather, maritime, and aviation data services through its constellation of small satellites.

Each of these firms plays a unique role across the spacecraft value chain, whether through high-throughput bus manufacturing, systems integration, or hybrid mission support models.

Upcoming Programs to Watch

Set to launch soon, two high-profile missions will elevate the UK’s profile in global space leadership:

Skynet 6A

• A next-generation military communications satellite, built by Airbus UK for the Ministry of Defence.

• Launch expected between 2025–2026.

• Will notably upgrade the UK’s secure satcom capabilities, replacing the aging Skynet 5 constellation.

Lunar Pathfinder

• Led by SSTL, this mission will be the first dedicated lunar communications relay in orbit around the Moon.

• Pathfinder will support ESA’s Moonlight initiative, enabling sustained surface missions and deep-space connectivity.

Together, these projects speak to the UK’s expanding ambitions in both defense-grade assets and interplanetary infrastructure, both of which are domains previously dominated by superpowers.

Infrastructure on the Horizon: UK Launch Capability

UK-built spacecraft have historically depended on international launch providers, most notably U.S.-based giants like SpaceX. But that dynamic is beginning to shift. With Spaceport Cornwall and SaxaVord in active development, the UK is investing in domestic launch infrastructure that promises more responsive, accessible, and sovereign access to orbit.

Once operational, these launch sites will:

• Shorten mission timelines by removing reliance on foreign launch manifests

• Support sovereign satellite constellations and national security goals

• Attract international customers seeking reliable launch-from-Europe options

• Lower the barrier to entry for smaller players, eliminating the need to compete for limited rideshare slots on overseas rockets

While UK launch costs may remain higher than those of SpaceX or Rocket Lab in the near term, government incentives and strategic subsidies can offset pricing gaps, especially for missions aligned with public objectives like defense, science, or infrastructure monitoring.

Ultimately, the convergence of onshore launch, end-to-end spacecraft production, and national mission mandates positions the UK as one of the few countries in Europe pursuing vertical integration across the space value chain, from design and development to lift-off.

Strategic Implications

The UK’s spacecraft market is now at an inflection point. With a proven diversified mission portfolio and increasing investment in sovereign infrastructure, several strategic themes are visible:

• Vertical Integration: UK companies are increasingly owning more of the spacecraft lifecycle—design, bus, integration, and operations.

• Defense-Civil Synergy: Technology crossover between government and commercial missions is deepening, accelerating innovation.

• Platform-as-a-Service Models: Smallsat companies are shifting from hardware-only to mission-as-a-service offerings, democratizing access to space.

• Global Market Positioning: UK spacecraft firms are increasingly competitive in international tenders, securing export potential.

However, challenges remain. The transition from bespoke builds to scalable spacecraft production, ongoing supply chain dependencies, and the delay in operational domestic launch infrastructure could limit near-term growth if not strategically addressed.

Explore the Full UK Spacecraft Market Map

Our UK Spacecraft Market Map is a preview of the available data on the Space Insider Market Intelligence Platform. Our platform provides structured insights into:

• The 28 core UK entities across the spacecraft lifecycle

• Detailed mission and launch statistics

• Sectoral trends across commercial, civil, and defense categories

• Strategic partnerships and national infrastructure investments

Want access to the full dataset? Contact our team to request a demo of the platform or receive the complete intelligence package.

Why Choose Space Insider?

Space Insider delivers real-time, data-backed insights into the global space economy. Unlike static reports, our intelligence platform continuously ingests and structures data from over 100,000 sources, empowering industry leaders to move with clarity and speed.

Whether you’re tracking spacecraft trends, seeking commercial partners, or evaluating policy impacts, Space Insider offers the data depth and strategic context to guide your next move. Explore our intelligence platform today.

• The U.S. Department of Defense has awarded Lockheed Martin a $509.7 million contract to build GPS IIIF satellites 21 and 22, pushing the program’s total value past $4.1 billion.
• GPS IIIF enhances navigation capabilities with 60x anti-jamming resistance, new search and rescue functions, and a fully digital payload; SV08, the final GPS III satellite, will launch in 2025 as the program transitions.
• Lockheed Martin has completed major assembly on the first four GPS IIIF satellites, with launches scheduled to begin in 2027 to support global coverage and replace aging infrastructure.

The U.S. Department of Defense has awarded Lockheed Martin a $509.7 million contract to build two more Global Positioning System III Follow-On (GPS IIIF) satellites, extending the company’s production line and pushing the total value of the program past $4.1 billion, according to the DOD.

The contract modification covers GPS IIIF Space Vehicles 21 and 22 and obligates more than $55 million in fiscal 2025 missile procurement funds at the time of award. The additional units are part of a long-term effort by the U.S. military to maintain and enhance the country’s GPS constellation, which provides positioning, navigation, and timing data to both military and civilian users worldwide. Work will continue at Lockheed Martin’s facility in Littleton, Colorado, with delivery expected by late 2031.

The contract comes as Lockheed Martin prepares to launch GPS III SV08, the eighth satellite in the current block, from Cape Canaveral in 2025, according to Lockheed Martin. Shipped in early April from Colorado via a U.S. Air Force C-17 aircraft, the spacecraft was deployed on short notice to meet mission requirements, highlighting a shift toward faster, more responsive deployment timelines.

“With each GPS III shipment and launch, America’s GPS constellation grows more resilient and accurate,” Malik Musawwir, vice president of Navigation Systems at Lockheed Martin Space, said in a statement in April. “We’re proud to continue enabling this critical national security mission through both spacecraft production and maintenance of the ground control segment, bringing a seamless experience to Space Force operators.”

GPS III SV08 will join a 31-satellite constellation that supports essential services including civilian navigation, military operations, and emergency response systems. The arrival of SV08 also marks the final stages of the GPS III block before the program transitions fully to GPS IIIF, a more advanced generation with expanded capabilities, according to Lockheed Martin.

• 60X greater anti-jamming to ensure U.S. and allied forces cannot be denied access to GPS in hostile environments.
• Accuracy-enhancing laser retroreflector array.
• New search and rescue payload.
• Fully digital navigation payload.
• New LM2100 Combat Bus for SV13, providing increased cyber-hardening, improved spacecraft power, propulsion and electronics. Capable of hosting on-orbit upgrade ASPIN software.

The GPS IIIF satellites are designed to strengthen signal security and reliability, the company noted. Enhancements include a stronger civilian signal intended to improve commercial aviation safety and a new feature called Regional Military Protection. This system increases the satellite’s resistance to jamming by as much as 60 times in contested environments, making it significantly harder for adversaries to disrupt U.S. military operations.

Lockheed Martin has begun building the first ten GPS IIIF units, with assembly already completed on key structures for the first four. The company finished mating the core of the first GPS IIIF satellite earlier this year and anticipates launch of the new block to begin in 2027. The continued investment in GPS IIIF follows concerns over aging infrastructure, as nearly half of the current GPS constellation exceeds its intended service life.

According to the Space Systems Command, the expanded GPS fleet is intended to ensure seamless global coverage and provide a long-term upgrade path. Lockheed Martin now remains under contract for up to 22 satellites, providing a steady production cadence for the next several years.

SpaceX is targeting Friday, May 30 for a Falcon 9 launch of the GPS III-7 mission from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, according to the company. The launch was originally assigned to United Launch Alliance, but was re-assigned to Space-X in April in light of Space System Command’s accelerated launch schedule.

• Iridium Communications has partnered with Syniverse to support the global rollout of its Iridium NTN Direct service, integrating the platform with Syniverse’s mobile network operator infrastructure to enable seamless global connectivity.
• The partnership enables direct-to-device and narrow-band IoT messaging across industries by leveraging Iridium’s LEO satellite constellation and Syniverse’s 3GPP-compliant mobile interoperability systems.
• Iridium NTN Direct, part of 3GPP Release 19, will begin device integration and on-air testing in 2025, with commercial device availability expected in 2026.

PRESS RELEASE –  Iridium Communications Inc. (NASDAQ: IRDM), a leading provider of global voice and data satellite communications, today announced a new partnership with Syniverse, the world’s most connected company^®, to support the rollout of Iridium NTN Direct^SM service with mobile network operators (MNOs) worldwide. Through this partnership, Iridium NTN Direct is integrating with Syniverse’s global platform, making it easy for MNOs to keep their customers continuously connected everywhere on the planet.

According to GSMA’s 2025 Industry Survey, 85% of MNOs planning to pursue non-terrestrial network (NTN) service are seeking a Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) solution that extends their coverage globally. As part of 3GPP Release 19, Iridium NTN Direct will provide truly global, standards-based direct-to-device (D2D) and narrow-band Internet of Things (NB-IoT) messaging and SOS for consumer devices, automobiles and industrial applications in agriculture, transportation, logistics, energy and utilities.

The combination of MNO requirements and Iridium NTN Direct capabilities makes it the ideal solution. With Iridium NTN Direct, MNOs will know they have a reliable partner with a fully deployed, owned and operated satellite constellation, unmatched coverage, globally coordinated mobile satellite services (MSS) spectrum, and a history of providing reliable safety of life services.

“We’re building the backbone of the global D2D movement, the right way and with the right partners as we prepare for on-air testing with MNOs and chipmakers in the coming months,” said Iridium CEO Matt Desch. “The integration of Syniverse’s system with the Iridium^® network will give MNOs a simple path to expand their footprint to the entire planet.”

“Satellite networks are becoming a natural extension of the mobile ecosystem, and our role at Syniverse is to make that transition seamless,” said Andrew Davies, Chief Executive Officer of Syniverse. “By integrating Iridium NTN Direct into the global mobile framework using standards-based, carrier-grade systems, Syniverse is simplifying deployment, ensuring consistency and security, and accelerating access to non-terrestrial connectivity.”

For more than 35 years, Syniverse’s leadership in mobile interoperability and clearing services has played a key role in enabling MNO adoption for satellite integration, which includes seamless customer roaming, authentication and billing functions. Their system serves approximately 600 carrier customers directly in 170 countries worldwide and connects over 830 mobile operators with their global IPX backbone. Fully 3GPP-compliant and standards-based, Syniverse ensures fast deployment, helping operators confidently unlock new markets.

Iridium NTN Direct stands out among Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) and NB-IoT services by offering MNOs an unmatched combination of truly global coverage, reliability and capability. 3GPP Release 19 is expected to be completed by the end of 2025, and the first Iridium NTN Direct connected devices are planned to be available in 2026.

• The Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation has invested in NOVI SPACE, a Virginia-based startup developing onboard AI compute systems and a full-stack satellite data platform to enhance access to real-time Earth observation data.
• NOVI’s VISTAsat platform and flight-proven onboard computers are being deployed through SpaceX and other launch partners, supporting a constellation of edge-processing satellites aimed at transforming satellite data accessibility.
• The investment is part of NOVI’s ongoing seed round, which has also attracted backing from Spirit Electronics Ventures, Tyger River Capital, and AIN Ventures, and builds on NOVI’s prior commercialization grant and DoD-funded SBIR awards.

PRESS RELEASE – The Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation (VIPC) announced that Virginia Venture Partners (VVP), VIPC’s venture capital platform, has invested in Arlington, Virginia-based startup NOVI SPACE Inc. (NOVI). NOVI is a space AI infrastructure and compute company providing end-to-end technology solutions revolutionizing access to space-based satellite sensor data. As part of their ongoing seed round, NOVI has successfully attracted capital from both in-state and out-of-state co-investors including Arizona-based Spirit Electronics Ventures, North Carolina-based Tyger River Capital, and Virginia-based AIN Ventures, one of VIPC’s Virginia Invests’ fund managers. VIPC also previously awarded a technology commercialization grant to NOVI, which supported its Phase I SBIR award from the Air Force Research Lab (AFRL) and served as an effective bridge to securing a follow-on AFRL Phase II award.

Satellite constellations generate vast amounts of raw sensor data and generally lack on-board processing capabilities. Accessing space-based sensors and processing satellite data remains difficult and prohibitively expensive. NOVI is leveraging its successful demonstration work with the U.S. Department of Defense to fill a critical gap in the U.S. commercial hardware market by providing TRL-9, flight-proven on-board computers (OBCs) for in-orbit satellites. NOVI has previously deployed its satellite compute-on-board into space through SpaceX and other launch partners. In addition, NOVI is developing and deploying a constellation of multi-sensor edge-processing satellites for earth observation (EO), coupled to a full-stack data, algorithm, and intelligence management platform named VISTAsat. This innovative space AI marketplace provides open-access to a growing satellite network, and enables commercial companies, governments and developers to harness real-time space-based sensors, processors and intelligence across numerous industries.

“We are thrilled to partner with the VIPC team and deeply value their support as NOVI continues to expand in the Arlington area and drive the future of space innovation. VIPC has been instrumental in attracting a strong network of investors and accelerating our growth following a successful satellite launch on SpaceX’s Transporter-12 mission in January 2025,” said Dr. Amit Mehra, President and Co-founder of NOVI.

VIPC President and CEO, Joe Benevento, said, “NOVI is innovating here in Virginia at the unique intersection of artificial intelligence compute and space hardware infrastructure. Our collaboration with NOVI is a great example of how VIPC seeks to catalyze and leverage public-private investment – through VIPC, the Department of Defense, and now external venture capital funds from the private sector – to accelerate technology innovation in the marketplace.”

“NOVI has successfully developed and de-risked transformative edge AI technology, which they are actively deploying to government and commercial customers in route to creating the first low-cost, open constellation to democratize access to space data,” said Marco Rubin, Senior Investment Director for VIPC’s Virginia Venture Partners. “VVP is pleased to support the NOVI team, and we look forward to exciting growth within Virginia’s strategic aerospace and defense industries.”

• The investment round was led by Founders Fund and included CEECAT Capital, Morphosis Capital, and returning investors.
• The funding will accelerate deployment of EnduroSat’s modular, high-performance 200-500kg satellites designed for rapid constellation development.
• The company plans to build one of Europe’s largest space R&D facilities and scale monthly satellite output to 60 by the end of 2025.

PRESS RELEASE – EnduroSat, a leading provider of satellite constellations-as-a-service, today announced a €43 million investment led by Founders Fund. The funding, which included participation from CEECAT Capital, Morphosis Capital, and other returning investors, will be used to scale production of EnduroSat’s new Gen3 ESPA-class satellites. These 200-500kg software-defined satellites will feature advanced avionics and a fully modular design, making them ideally suited for operators looking for fast deployment of hyperspectral imaging, synthetic aperture radar (SAR), broadband, navigation, and other demanding payloads. This latest investment will also help EnduroSat further scale at its existing European and U.S. locations.

“As the number of satellites in space demanded by a broader set of players grows exponentially, our industry needs to re-think how these satellites are built. Raycho and his team at EnduroSat have taken the massive leap to go from utilizing traditional aerospace supply chains, to consumer electronics and automotive supply chains to build their products,” said Delian Asparouhov, Partner at Founders Fund and Co-Founder and President of Varda Space Industries. “This makes EnduroSat’s cost efficiency and performance above all in the market, and they have a proven flight heritage, with 3,000+ modules in orbit today. Their Gen3 satellites get them into a size class that will allow for almost any space opportunity to be relevant for them.”

The new Gen3 satellite class is based on a decade of in-orbit experience and customer feedback. The modular, high-performance avionics, offering up to 3.5kW of peak power and 2GBPS datarate, make the satellites highly configurable for a variety of advanced applications. The new design philosophy behind Gen3 is especially well-suited for constellations and responsive space applications, because it’s designed from the ground up for fast turnaround and mass production. The cableless satellite bus design, developed entirely in-house, can be assembled and functionally tested in a few hours—orders of magnitude faster than typical satellite builds today. The new Gen3 ESPA-class satellites will complement EnduroSat’s flight-proven line of CubeSat platforms and components.

By covering the full mission cycle, EnduroSat’s constellation-as-a-service model allows operators to focus on their core, value-generating business, eliminating complexity and risk while streamlining costs and timelines for every mission phase, from constellation design to payload integration, launch, and operations.

“Our mission is to make space universally accessible, because this fundamentally improves life on earth,” said Raycho Raychev, Founder and CEO of EnduroSat. “We’re taking the complexity out of space missions by building and operating the space infrastructure our customers need, so they can focus on the next wave of innovation in space applications. I’m excited to work alongside and learn from the team at Founders Fund, which brings decades of expertise in scaling companies and redefining industries. By increasing our production and introducing our new generation of satellites, we’ll unlock access to satellite constellations for even more customers—with reliability and price transparency.”

The latest funding will also support the buildout of a new 17,500 m² facility in Sofia, which will be one of the largest space R&D centers in Europe. This state-of-the-art facility will include satellite avionics labs, two assembly lines, significantly expanded clean rooms, and a suite of space qualification equipment, including an anechoic chamber.

By the end of 2025, EnduroSat aims to produce as many as 60 satellites per month at the new facility. The company is also continuing to scale its U.S. operations, building a dedicated U.S.-based cleanroom and supporting customers from the commercial and defense industries around the globe.

• Beijing-based aerospace firm Micro-Nano Star has secured an 804 million yuan ($111 million) contract to build the “Circum-Sky Satellite Constellation” for Sichuan province.
• The constellation will consist of ten remote sensing microsatellites, including four optical and six synthetic aperture radar (SAR) units, to enhance regional data access and expand satellite application use in Meishan.
• Founded in 2017, Micro-Nano Star is part of China’s “Little Giant” SME initiative and represents a broader shift as private aerospace firms transition from subsystem roles to full project integrators in China’s expanding commercial space sector.

Commercial Chinese aerospace company Micro-Nano Star has secured a major satellite constellation contract that will serve Sichuan province.

According to the Chinese language weekly Economic Observer, Micro-Nano Star, a Beijing-based firm recognized under China’s “Little Giant” SME initiative, won an 804 million yuan (approximately $111 million) contract in May to build the “Circum-Sky Satellite Constellation,” citing an announcement by the National Public Resources Trading Platform (Sichuan Province). The project was previously approved by the National Development and Reform Commission.

The constellation, designated to serve the Meishan area of Sichuan province, will include ten small remote sensing satellites—four optical and six equipped with synthetic aperture radar (SAR), EEO reported. The satellites are intended to enhance the region’s access to aerospace data, broaden applications for remote sensing, and expand multi-type data acquisition capabilities. Under the contract, Micro-Nano Star is responsible for the end-to-end execution of the project, including satellite development, launch, constellation networking, and potentially the construction of ground systems.

Founded in 2017, Micro-Nano Star represents a new generation of private aerospace companies transitioning from component suppliers to primary contractors, according to EEO. The paper noted the company’s evolution mirrors a wider trend in China’s commercial aerospace industry, where private players are now assuming more complex roles in national satellite infrastructure.

According to EEO, public investment has played a central role in the firm’s growth. After a Pre-A financing round in 2018, the company raised over 100 million yuan in successive A and A+ rounds in 2019 and 2020, respectively. A 350 million yuan B round followed in 2021. In 2023, Micro-Nano Star closed a C round worth several hundred million yuan, led by China Structural Adjustment Fund II Co., Ltd., with participation from Skyworth Investment, Guohua Investment, and others. The capital is targeted at ramping up satellite production, advancing next-generation technologies, and expanding into new markets.

As previously detailed by Space Insider, China has become a major player in the global space economy by creating a vertically integrated, state-backed ecosystem with growth of private space companies. Supported by industrial policy and geopolitical goals, the country has expanded its capabilities across launch, manufacturing, and satellite operations. The sector now includes over 500 entities, ranging from state-owned giants to private companies, universities, and research institutes.