What TransAstra does

TransAstra (legal entity Trans Astronautica Corporation) is a Los Angeles-based private space technology company founded in 2017 that develops an integrated in-space logistics platform organized around four capability phases: Detect, Capture, Move, and Process. The Detect layer combines the modular Sutter TKO sky survey system with the patented Theia detection software, which is reported to outperform conventional track-before-detect methods by 100x or more for faint moving objects in cislunar space. The Capture layer is built around Mantis Capture Systems and the inflatable Capture Bag, which was demonstrated on the International Space Station in October 2025 and is scalable from CubeSats to 1,000-ton asteroids. The Move layer uses the Worker Bee spacecraft powered by the Omnivore solar thermal propulsion system, which can use water or other volatile liquids as propellant. The Process layer relies on SolarForge, a foundry that uses concentrated sunlight, microgravity, and vacuum to extract propellants and materials from asteroids and recycled orbital debris without consumable chemicals or mechanical drilling.

TransAstra's product portfolio is supported by a 7,000 sq ft purpose-built facility called The Hive, equipped with machine tools, rapid prototyping, large vacuum systems, and optical benches, and by a portfolio of seven U.S. patents granted in 2025. The company maintains strategic partnerships with NASA, NASA NIAC, the U.S. Space Force, DARPA, and AFRL, and was awarded a NASA contract to build a flight-qualified 10-meter Capture Bag.

The business model is primarily government R&D and SBIR contract-driven, supplemented by private investment capital. Pricing is quote-based and negotiated through government procurement and enterprise channels; no public pricing exists. Long-term commercial revenue is positioned around asteroid resource extraction and in-space supply of propellants, water, and construction materials to orbital industries, with a planned first commercial asteroid capture mission targeted for 2028 and a near-term commercial market cited at $100 billion.

Name

TransAstra

Legal name

Trans Astronautica Corporation

Website

https://transastra.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

TransAstra builds an integrated in-space logistics platform — Sutter TKO telescopes, Theia detection software, Mantis Capture Bag, Omnivore propulsion, and SolarForge materials processing — primarily serving U.S. government agencies including NASA, Space Force, DARPA, and AFRL through SBIR contracts and R&D partnerships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

In-Space Logistics and Space Technology

NAICS

Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing (336414), Other Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing (336419)

SIC

Guided Missiles & Space Vehicles & Parts (3760), Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812)

akta.pro primary industry

Space Logistics & In-Orbit Servicing (Refueling, Tug, Debris Removal) (IMABACAM)

akta.pro secondary industry

Space Payloads & Instruments (Sensors, Comms, EO/IR) (IMABACAD)

Keywords

• In-space logistics
• Orbital debris remediation
• Asteroid resource extraction
• Space domain awareness
• Solar thermal propulsion

Headquarters

HQ city

Los Angeles

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Government R&D Contracts and SBIR Awards: TransAstra generates revenue primarily through NASA SBIR (Small Business Innovation Research) awards and other U.S. government defense and space agency contracts. These contracts fund development of specific technologies such as the Capture Bag and other in-space logistics systems.
2. Private Investment Capital: The company raised $5 million in September 2025 from a combination of NASA backing and private investors. This investment capital supports scaling of asteroid capture technology and general operations, though it is not recurring revenue.
3. Space Mining and Resource Processing: Long-term revenue model based on asteroid mining and in-space resource extraction. The company plans to harvest resources (water, metals, propellants) from captured asteroids to supply orbital industries, with a near-term commercial potential estimated at $100 billion.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

TransAstra develops and sells an integrated in-space logistics platform spanning four phases: Detect (Sutter TKO modular sky survey observatories and Theia detection software), Capture (Mantis Capture Systems featuring inflatable Capture Bag hardware for orbital debris and asteroids), Move (Worker Bee spacecraft with Omnivore solar thermal propulsion), and Process (SolarForge solar-concentrator foundry for in-situ resource extraction). The company primarily serves U.S. government space and defense agencies through SBIR contracts and direct procurement.

Product overview

TransAstra offers a modular platform for in-space logistics with four integrated capability phases: Detect, Capture, Move, and Process. The Detect phase includes Sutter TKO™ (a modular sky survey system for space domain awareness) enhanced by Theia™ software which boosts detection sensitivity 100x. The Capture phase centers on Mantis Capture Systems featuring the Capture Bag™ — an inflatable debris and asteroid capture technology successfully demonstrated on the ISS in October 2025, scalable from CubeSats to 1,000-ton asteroids. The Move phase uses Worker Bee™ spacecraft powered by the Omnivore™ solar thermal propulsion system, which can use water or other volatiles as propellant. The Process phase employs SolarForge™ — a solar-powered foundry that extracts propellants and materials from asteroids and debris without chemicals or drilling. Supporting infrastructure includes DAQAstra™ for mission control and The Hive, a 7,000 sq ft development and testing facility.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Sutter TKO (Turnkey Observatory) Modular, rapidly deployable sky survey system for space domain awareness in Medium Earth Orbit (MEO), Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO), and beyond. Operates at customer-chosen sites with built-in automation and remote monitoring for government and commercial customers needing cislunar observation capability.
• Mantis Capture Systems (with Capture Bag) Inflatable capture system platform for capturing uncontrollable space objects including orbital debris and asteroids. Features Capture Bag lightweight, durable inflatable structure for secure capture with minimal risk of damage. Scalable from CubeSats to 1,000-ton asteroids and demonstrated on the ISS in October 2025.
• Worker Bee spacecraft powered by Omnivore solar thermal propulsion Spacecraft architecture powered by TransAstra's patented Omnivore solar thermal propulsion system, enabling efficient movement across vast distances in space using water or other volatile liquids as propellant. Designed for in-space logistics missions supporting orbital debris servicing and asteroid retrieval.
• SolarForge foundry A foundry system that harnesses concentrated sunlight, microgravity, and vacuum to extract propellants, building materials, and other resources from asteroids and recycled orbital debris without consumable chemicals or mechanical drilling. Designed to enable in-situ resource utilization for orbital industries.
• Theia detection software Patented software that enhances telescope detection capabilities by 100x or more, detecting faint moving objects (spacecraft, asteroids) without prior knowledge of trajectory. Runs at the edge alongside sensors for real-time detections and automated follow-up. Designed for space domain awareness customers including government agencies and commercial operators.
• DAQAstra mission control system Advanced data acquisition and control system for space operations and mission management. Developed at The Hive facility for controlling and monitoring space operations, providing the mission control backbone for TransAstra's logistics platform.

Quantifiable outcome

• Theia software outperforms conventional track-before-detect methods by 100x or more in detection sensitivity
• +3 more outcomes

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered flagship and core.

• NASAflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerNASA is a primary strategic partner supporting TransAstra's technology development. NASA has awarded the company funding for asteroid capture technology development, including a 2025 NASA award to build a flight-qualified 10-meter Capture Bag. The partnership includes SBIR contracts and collaborative technology development, with NASA providing both funding and technical oversight.
• NASA NIAC (NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerNASA NIAC supports early-stage innovation through its advanced concepts program. TransAstra participates in NIAC studies to advance its most ambitious technologies, including asteroid capture mission architectures. This partnership provides early-stage funding and technical validation for breakthrough space technologies.
• U.S. Space ForcecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe U.S. Space Force is a key government customer and partner for TransAstra's orbital debris remediation and space domain awareness technologies. The partnership addresses Space Force priorities around maintaining a safe and sustainable space operating environment and enhancing space domain awareness capabilities.
• DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDARPA partners with TransAstra on advanced space technology development. The partnership focuses on innovative in-space logistics, orbital debris cleanup, and manufacturing technologies that align with DARPA's mission to develop breakthrough technologies for national security.
• AFRL (Air Force Research Laboratory)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAFRL collaborates with TransAstra on advanced aerospace technologies. The partnership supports the development and testing of capture systems, propulsion technologies, and other in-space capabilities with applications for both civilian and defense space missions.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Northrop Grumman (SpaceLogistics): Northrop Grumman's SpaceLogistics business operates the Mission Extension Vehicle (MEV) and Mission Robotic Vehicle for satellite servicing and life extension. A broad incumbent with overlapping satellite capture/servicing capabilities and deep defense/space agency relationships.
• Redwire Space: Redwire (including legacy Made In Space) develops in-space manufacturing, robotics, and space infrastructure, with NASA and DoD as anchor customers. Comparable to TransAstra's SolarForge and capture-system development within the broader in-space logistics and manufacturing space.

Emerging players

• ispace: ispace is developing lunar landers and in-situ resource utilization for cislunar resource exploration. Comparable to TransAstra's long-term cislunar resource extraction thesis, though focused on lunar rather than asteroid targets and operating in a different geography.
• Momentus: Momentus develops in-space transportation services using a proprietary water-based plasma propulsion system. Comparable to TransAstra's Worker Bee / Omnivore platform in using non-traditional propellants for orbital mobility and serving small-satellite customers.
• Orbit Fab: Orbit Fab is building in-space refueling infrastructure (fuel depots, shuttle tanker services) to enable satellite life extension. Comparable to TransAstra's long-term in-space propellant supply thesis (SolarForge + Omnivore) though focused on satellite refueling rather than asteroid-derived fuels.

Direct peers

• LeoLabs: LeoLabs operates a global phased-array radar network for space domain awareness, tracking objects in LEO. Comparable to TransAstra's Sutter TKO telescope network and Theia detection software in SDA mission and government/Space Force customer base.
• ClearSpace: ClearSpace is a Swiss-ESA-contracted company building robotic capture systems (ClearSpace-1) for orbital debris removal. Closely comparable to TransAstra's Mantis Capture System in technology approach and government-agency customer base.
• D-Orbit: D-Orbit provides in-space transportation, satellite deployment, and end-of-life servicing using its ION Satellite Carrier. Comparable to TransAstra's in-space logistics and satellite capture mission (Worker Bee + Capture Hand) for commercial satellite operators.
• ExoAnalytic Solutions: ExoAnalytic operates a global network of optical telescopes for space domain awareness and missile tracking, serving U.S. Space Force and allied customers. Comparable to Sutter TKO/Theia in SDA mission and government procurement channel.
• Astroscale: Astroscale is a leading orbital debris removal and satellite servicing company developing capture and deorbit technologies (ELSA-d, ELSA-M). Directly comparable to TransAstra's Capture Bag/Mantis business in mission, customer base (space agencies and satellite operators), and debris-removal architecture.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/TransAstra_Corp
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@transastronauticacorporati5535
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/trans-astronautica-corporation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds5 records

Investors14 records

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about TransAstra