Satelles
Satelles provides cryptographically secure satellite-based time and location (STL) signals that authenticate positioning and timing for critical infrastructure, including data centers, 5G networks, maritime, and government users. Acquired by Iridium Communications in April 2024 for $115 million.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2008
- HeadquartersReston, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What Satelles does
Satelles, Inc. developed and commercialized Satellite Time and Location (STL), a satellite-based positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) technology that delivers cryptographically secure time and location signals independent of GPS/GNSS. The STL signal rides on the Iridium low-Earth-orbit (LEO) satellite constellation, enabling the service to function indoors, at sea, and in the air — and to maintain integrity during GPS/GNSS jamming, spoofing, or interference events. The company targeted organizations requiring definitive device-location authentication, with a primary use case in protecting data centers and other critical infrastructure from positioning and timing attacks.
The company's go-to-market was B2B, selling PNT authentication as a subscription-style service to critical-infrastructure operators. Pricing was not publicly disclosed. Satelles had secured roughly $54.6M in venture funding across five rounds between 2008 and early 2023, with key backers including C5 Capital and Safar Partners. In April 2024, Iridium Communications acquired Satelles for approximately $115 million, integrating STL into Iridium's PNT service portfolio.
Under Iridium ownership, Satelles' STL technology now anchors a broader PNT service line that includes three product tiers and is marketed into 5G networks, data centers, financial markets, maritime, and government/defense customers. The company has announced 'Project Authentic,' a data-center-focused PNT authentication solution, and is preparing to release the Iridium PNT ASIC — an ultra-compact 8mm-by-8mm chip planned for commercial availability in mid-2026 — that will embed the STL capability into mass-market hardware. The combination of a deployed LEO constellation, miniaturized chip form factor, and growing regulatory focus on PNT resilience positions the Satelles-derived product line for cross-vertical expansion.
Satelles firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Satelles
- Legal name
- Satelles, Inc.
- Website
- https://satelles.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2008
- Operating status
- Acquired
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Satelles provides cryptographically secure satellite-based time and location (STL) signals that authenticate positioning and timing for critical infrastructure, including data centers, 5G networks, maritime, and government users. Acquired by Iridium Communications in April 2024 for $115 million.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Satelles industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Satellite-based Positioning, Navigation and Timing (PNT) Services
- NAICS
- Satellite Telecommunications (51741)
- SIC
- Measuring & Controlling Devices, Nec (3829), Computer Communications Equipment (3576)
- akta.pro primary industry
- GNSS/GPS Navigation & Augmentation Systems (IMABAFAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Indoor/Resilient Time & Holdover Solutions (GNSS Denied/Anti-Jam) (HDAFAKAI), Satellite, GNSS & Positioning RF ICs (HDAHAMAJ), Enterprise Satellite Connectivity & Managed Services (VSAT, SD-WAN over Satcom) (HDAIAJAB)
Keywords
Where Satelles is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Reston
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Markets served
Satelles business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Satelles product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Satelles develops and provides Satellite Time and Location (STL) technology — a satellite-based positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) service delivered via the Iridium LEO satellite constellation that produces cryptographically secure time and location signals. The offering serves as a resilient alternative or backup to GPS/GNSS, capable of definitively proving device location indoors, at sea, and in the air, and maintaining signal integrity during spoofing, jamming, or interference attacks. The technology is delivered as subscription-based PNT service packages and, in mid-2026, as an integrated Iridium PNT ASIC chip for embedded device integration.
Product overview
Satelles, acquired by Iridium Communications in 2024 for $115 million, developed the Satellite Time and Location (STL) technology — a satellite-based positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) solution designed to address vulnerabilities in GPS and GNSS systems. Following the acquisition, Iridium has integrated STL into its PNT service portfolio, offering the technology as a cryptographically secure alternative signal for critical infrastructure protection. The company is developing the Iridium PNT ASIC, a miniature chip scheduled for commercial release in mid-2026, which will enable resilient, secure primary or backup PNT capabilities.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Satellite Time and Location (STL): A satellite-based positioning, navigation, and timing technology developed by Satelles that addresses satellite positioning vulnerabilities, including jamming and spoofing, and operates indoors.
Products and services
- Satellite Time and Location (STL) Satellite-based positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) technology that delivers cryptographically secure time and location signals via the Iridium LEO satellite constellation. Provides a resilient alternative or backup to GPS/GNSS for data centers, 5G networks, financial markets, maritime, aviation, and government customers.
- Iridium PNT ASIC An ultra-compact 8mm-by-8mm silicon chip embedding Iridium's STL PNT authentication capability, designed to enable resilient, secure primary or backup PNT in GPS/GNSS-dependent devices that are vulnerable to jamming and spoofing attacks.
Companies that use Satelles
Customer profileSegments1 record
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Satelles technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
Satelles partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- Iridium CommunicationscoreIridium Communications acquired Satelles Inc. in April 2024 for $115 million to gain access to the Satellite Time and Location (STL) product. This acquisition enabled Iridium to offer enhanced positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) services and led to the development of Project Authentic and the Iridium PNT ASIC chip. The acquisition was described by CEO Matt Desch as potentially transformative for the authentication industry.
Scale indicators1 record
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Satelles competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Trimble: Major GNSS positioning and timing solutions provider serving construction, agriculture, geospatial, and timing-sensitive industrial markets. Comparable to Satelles in PNT technology delivery but focused on precision GNSS rather than cryptographic PNT authentication.
- L3Harris Technologies: Large defense prime with an assured PNT portfolio including anti-jam GPS receivers and next-generation resilient timing systems. Competes with Satelles' STL in defense and government critical infrastructure markets as part of a broader defense electronics portfolio.
- Microchip Technology: Supplies GPS/GNSS timing modules, atomic clocks, and synchronization solutions used in telecom and critical infrastructure. Overlaps with Satelles in PNT hardware for 5G and data center timing applications.
- Hexagon (NovAtel): NovAtel, part of Hexagon, provides high-precision GNSS receivers and resilient PNT solutions for autonomy, defense, and industrial applications. Comparable technology stack and end-markets to Satelles.
Direct peers
- u-blox: Provider of GNSS positioning and timing chips/modules for automotive, industrial, and consumer markets. Comparable to Satelles in delivering positioning and timing technology, though focused on conventional GNSS rather than authenticated satellite PNT.
- Spirent Communications: Provides GNSS testing, simulation, and resilient PNT assurance solutions used to validate positioning and timing systems. Directly comparable to Satelles in addressing PNT assurance needs for critical infrastructure and telecom operators.
- Safran (Orolia): Safran acquired Orolia, a leading provider of resilient PNT solutions including atomic clocks, GNSS simulators, and anti-jamming/anti-spoofing receivers. Directly comparable to Satelles' STL in addressing GPS/GNSS vulnerabilities for critical infrastructure, defense, and telecom.
Emerging players
- Jackson Labs Technologies: Specializes in GPS/GNSS-disciplined oscillators, resilient timing modules, and anti-jam PNT solutions for defense and aerospace. A niche competitor focused on PNT resilience similar to Satelles' value proposition.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Satelles social profiles
Digital presenceSatelles financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Satelles leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles12 records
Satelles funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds5 records
Investors2 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Satelles M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Satelles
What does Satelles do?
Satelles develops and provides Satellite Time and Location (STL) technology — a satellite-based positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) service delivered via the Iridium LEO satellite constellation that produces cryptographically secure time and location signals. The offering serves as a resilient alternative or backup to GPS/GNSS, capable of definitively proving device location indoors, at sea, and in the air, and maintaining signal integrity during spoofing, jamming, or interference attacks. The technology is delivered as subscription-based PNT service packages and, in mid-2026, as an integrated Iridium PNT ASIC chip for embedded device integration.
Is Satelles a public or private company?
Satelles is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently acquired.
When was Satelles founded?
Satelles was founded in 2008. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Satelles based?
Satelles is headquartered in Reston, United States, in the North America region.
Who are Satelles's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Trimble, L3Harris Technologies, Microchip Technology and Hexagon (NovAtel). Direct peers are u-blox, Spirent Communications and Safran (Orolia). Jackson Labs Technologies is listed as an emerging player.
Does Satelles have an API?
No public API is recorded for Satelles.
What industry is Satelles in?
Satelles's product category is Satellite-based Positioning, Navigation and Timing (PNT) Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMABAFAC, GNSS/GPS Navigation & Augmentation Systems, with a secondary code of HDAFAKAI, Indoor/Resilient Time & Holdover Solutions (GNSS Denied/Anti-Jam). Its NAICS code is 51741 and its SIC code is 3829.