D-Orbit
D-Orbit is an Italian orbital logistics company that operates the ION Satellite Carrier, an orbital transfer vehicle delivering multiple satellites from a single rideshare launch to custom orbits, with growing in-space computing and edge-AI capabilities for commercial satellite operators and defense agencies.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2011
- HeadquartersMilan, Italy
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What D-Orbit does
D-Orbit is an Italian orbital logistics company that designs, builds, and operates the ION Satellite Carrier, an orbital transfer vehicle that delivers multiple customer satellites from a single rideshare launch to different custom orbits, decoupling payload deployment from the one-orbit constraint of standard rideshare missions. The company sells orbital delivery as its primary service, charging per-mission fees for payload hosting and orbit customization, and is layering higher-margin recurring revenue on top via in-space computing, hosted payloads, and what it markets as 'Orbital Edge AI' — onboard data processing and computer-vision execution validated through partnerships such as SkyServe. Beyond delivery, D-Orbit is extending its offering into satellite life-extension, debris removal, refueling (via partnerships with Moonshot Space and Orbit Fab), and a connectivity service called TreeNet developed with Leaf Space and EnduroSat.
The company sells into three primary segments: commercial satellite operators needing flexible, cost-efficient deployment; defense and government agencies procuring space-based surveillance and data-processing capacity; and emerging space-infrastructure providers requiring orbital servicing. Go-to-market is enterprise field sales targeting satellite operators and defense primes directly, with distribution leverage from the SpaceX Transporter rideshare program and strategic reach into Asia-Pacific through Japanese investor Marubeni Corp. Revenue mechanics blend one-time mission fees for orbital delivery with managed services and recurring edge-computing/cybersecurity contracts, positioning the company at the intersection of space logistics and orbital data infrastructure.
D-Orbit is venture-backed, having closed a €150M Series C in September 2024 (led by Marubeni Corp) and a $53M Series D in January 2026 (led by Azimut Group), with cumulative disclosed funding well in excess of $200M. The Series D is explicitly earmarked for acquisitions in edge computing, autonomous navigation, and robotic servicing, indicating an M&A-driven expansion path rather than purely organic growth.
D-Orbit firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- D-Orbit
- Legal name
- D-Orbit
- Website
- https://dorbit.space
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2011
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 251–500 employees
- Short description
- D-Orbit is an Italian orbital logistics company that operates the ION Satellite Carrier, an orbital transfer vehicle delivering multiple satellites from a single rideshare launch to custom orbits, with growing in-space computing and edge-AI capabilities for commercial satellite operators and defense agencies.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
D-Orbit industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Space Logistics Services
- 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)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Space Logistics & In-Orbit Servicing (Refueling, Tug, Debris Removal) (IMABACAM)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Spacecraft & Satellites (Civil/Commercial) (IMABACAB), Satellite Network Operations & Capacity Services (NOC, Capacity Leasing, Managed Payload Services) (HDAIAJAI)
Keywords
Where D-Orbit is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Milan
- HQ country
- Italy
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
D-Orbit business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Orbital Delivery Services: Revenue from delivering satellites to custom orbits using the ION Satellite Carrier platform. The company provides rideshare launch integration and orbital transfer services to satellite operators, charging for payload delivery and orbit customization.
- In-Space Computing and Data Processing: High-margin monitoring and data-processing contracts enabled by in-space computing infrastructure. The company processes data onboard satellites before downlinking, creating value from edge computing capabilities.
- Space Logistics Services: Services including satellite deployment, in-orbit servicing, and space-based operations. Market growing from USD 1.5 billion in 2024 to projected USD 6.31 billion by 2033.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels4 records
D-Orbit product offering
Product offeringCore offering
D-Orbit designs, manufactures, and operates the ION Satellite Carrier, an orbital transfer vehicle that delivers multiple customer satellites from a single launch vehicle to different orbital destinations. The company provides orbital delivery services, in-space computing, and emerging space logistics capabilities such as satellite-life extension and debris removal. Its ION platform serves as a hosted infrastructure for edge AI, onboard data processing, and modular applications for satellite operators and defense clients.
Product overview
D-Orbit is an Italian orbital logistics and satellite manufacturer offering a platform-plus-services architecture centered on the ION Satellite Carrier. The ION platform serves as both an orbital transfer vehicle for satellite deployment and a modular infrastructure for hosted payloads, edge computing, and 'Orbital Edge AI' applications. The company provides orbital delivery services enabling flexible rideshare economics and custom orbit access, alongside emerging space logistics capabilities including satellite-life extension and debris removal. Strategic expansion through acquisitions targets edge computing, autonomous navigation, and robotic servicing technologies. The portfolio spans hardware (ION vehicles), software (onboard processing), and mission-critical services (cybersecurity, orbital transfer) designed for satellite operators, defense clients, and emerging spacetech companies.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- ION Satellite Carrier
- Orbital Delivery Services
- Space Logistics Infrastructure
Quantifiable outcome
- Four satellites scheduled for TreeNet connectivity service Alpha phase testing in H1 2027
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use D-Orbit
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
D-Orbit technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability3 records
Feature4 records
D-Orbit partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Leaf SpacecorePartnership to test TreeNet connectivity service Alpha phase. Four satellites scheduled to launch in H1 2027 with full commercial deployment targeted for end of 2027. D-Orbit provides orbital delivery capabilities for the interconnected communications network.
- EnduroSatcorePartnership with Leaf Space and D-Orbit to test TreeNet connectivity service Alpha phase. EnduroSat provides satellites as nodes in the interconnected communications network.
- Moonshot SpaceminorInitial agreements signed with Israeli startup Moonshot Space for space logistics services. Moonshot is developing an electromagnetic spacecraft launcher and signed agreements with D-Orbit for space logistics and refueling services.
- Orbit FabminorInitial agreements signed with US-based Orbit Fab for space logistics and refueling services as part of Moonshot Space partnerships.
- Anvil SecureminorAnvil Secure and D-Orbit published a white paper on applying cybersecurity principles throughout the satellite mission cycle, emphasizing securing radio communications, managing hosted payloads, and safeguarding firmware with focus on D-Orbit's ION Satellite Carrier.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
D-Orbit competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Exolaunch: Exolaunch is a rideshare launch integrator and satellite deployment services provider operating in the same SpaceX Transporter ecosystem as D-Orbit. It is directly comparable as an intermediary delivering small satellites to orbit and competing for the same commercial customer base.
- Spaceflight Inc. Spaceflight Inc. is a launch services and orbital transfer provider, named explicitly as a direct competitor to D-Orbit in the rideshare deployment market. Both companies broker and physically integrate smallsat rideshare missions and orbital delivery services.
- ISILaunch: ISILaunch is a Dutch launch services broker and rideshare integrator. It is named in D-Orbit's company history as a peer intermediary in the small-satellite rideshare launch market with overlapping customer relationships.
- Momentus: Momentus builds orbital transfer vehicles (Vigoride) that deliver payloads to custom orbits from rideshare launches. It is the most direct competitor to D-Orbit's ION Satellite Carrier platform, with comparable technology and target customers.
- Leaf Space: Leaf Space is an Italian ground-segment-as-a-service provider that has signed a strategic partnership with D-Orbit for the TreeNet connectivity constellation. Both serve overlapping satellite-operator customers, making Leaf Space both a partner and an adjacent competitor in integrated constellation services.
Emerging players
- Impulse Space: Impulse Space develops in-space transportation services including orbital transfer vehicles (Mira) and last-mile delivery. It targets the same smallsat rideshare market as D-Orbit's ION platform.
- Atomos Space: Atomos Space develops orbital transfer vehicles for moving payloads between orbits. It directly competes with D-Orbit's ION Satellite Carrier on flexible orbital delivery services.
- Orbit Fab: Orbit Fab is developing in-space refueling infrastructure for satellites. D-Orbit has signed an initial agreement with Orbit Fab, making it both a near-term partner and a long-term competitor in in-orbit servicing and refueling services.
- Astroscale: Astroscale is a space debris removal and satellite life-extension company. It operates in D-Orbit's stated expansion market and is a comparable European-Japanese peer pursuing adjacent in-orbit servicing services.
Broad incumbents
- Rocket Lab: Rocket Lab operates as a broad launch and space-systems incumbent with its Electron/Neutron launchers and space hardware business. Its scale and vertical integration make it a broader incumbent with overlapping capability in satellite deployment and orbital services.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
D-Orbit social profiles
Digital presenceD-Orbit financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
D-Orbit leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
D-Orbit funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds17 records
Investors36 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
D-Orbit M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A1 record
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about D-Orbit
What does D-Orbit do?
D-Orbit designs, manufactures, and operates the ION Satellite Carrier, an orbital transfer vehicle that delivers multiple customer satellites from a single launch vehicle to different orbital destinations. The company provides orbital delivery services, in-space computing, and emerging space logistics capabilities such as satellite-life extension and debris removal. Its ION platform serves as a hosted infrastructure for edge AI, onboard data processing, and modular applications for satellite operators and defense clients.
Is D-Orbit a public or private company?
D-Orbit is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was D-Orbit founded?
D-Orbit was founded in 2011. It employs 251 to 500 people.
Where is D-Orbit based?
D-Orbit is headquartered in Milan, Italy, in the Europe region.
How does D-Orbit make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Orbital Delivery Services are the primary driver. The others are in-Space Computing and Data Processing and space Logistics Services.
Who are D-Orbit's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Exolaunch, Spaceflight Inc., ISILaunch, Momentus and Leaf Space. Emerging players are Impulse Space, Atomos Space, Orbit Fab and Astroscale. Rocket Lab is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does D-Orbit have an API?
No public API is recorded for D-Orbit.
What industry is D-Orbit in?
D-Orbit's product category is Space Logistics Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMABACAM, Space Logistics & In-Orbit Servicing (Refueling, Tug, Debris Removal), with a secondary code of IMABACAB, Spacecraft & Satellites (Civil/Commercial). Its NAICS code is 336414 and its SIC code is 3760.