Astranis
Astranis designs, manufactures, and operates small geostationary orbit (MicroGEO) communications satellites for national telecom operators, sovereign governments, and the U.S. Department of Defense, delivering dedicated satellite-as-a-service with significantly faster order-to-orbit timelines than legacy GEO platforms.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2015
- HeadquartersSan Francisco, United States
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Astranis does
Astranis Space Technologies Corp. is a privately held, venture-backed space company founded in 2015 and headquartered in San Francisco, California, that designs, manufactures, and operates small geostationary orbit communications satellites under its MicroGEO platform. The spacecraft are software-defined, leveraging proprietary software-defined radio technology and electric propulsion for orbit raising, and are delivered from order to orbit in approximately 18–24 months versus 5–7 years for traditional GEO programs. Astranis manufactures satellites in-house at its San Francisco facility and is the only company currently operating this class of small GEO satellites, with five in orbit and five more in production as of 2026.
Astranis serves three primary customer segments: national telecommunications operators and sovereign governments seeking dedicated satellite capacity for broadband, disaster resilience, and encryption-controlled communications (Chunghwa Telecom/Taiwan, MB Group/Oman, Thaicom/Thailand, APCO/Mexico, Orbits Corp/Philippines); the U.S. Department of Defense and Space Force, where it is prime contractor for Protected Tactical SATCOM Global (PTS-G), a participant in the $1.8B Andromeda program, and selected for Resilient GPS Phase 0; and regional ISPs and enterprise customers in underserved markets. The company monetizes through two primary revenue streams: one-time satellite manufacturing and sales contracts and recurring Satellite-as-a-Service (dedicated hosted payload) arrangements, supplemented by U.S. government defense contracts. Cumulative funding exceeds $1.2 billion across multiple rounds led by Andreessen Horowitz, BlackRock, BAM Elevate, Snowpoint Ventures, and Franklin Templeton, with a $2.8 billion post-money valuation following the May 2026 Series E.
The company has expanded its product portfolio beyond the core MicroGEO platform to include Vanguard, a satellite-enabled mobile ad-hoc network (MANET) product for defense and first-responder use developed with Persistent Systems, Kymeta, and Satcube, and the Omega next-generation broadband spacecraft program targeted for 2026. Strategic partnerships span launch (SpaceX Falcon 9), in-space mobility (Impulse Space for 2027 direct-inject GEO transit), and ground segment (Tendeg, Sift), while the company has scaled headcount to more than 400 employees and added a Strategic Advisory Board chaired by retired four-star General John E. Hyten. Astranis operates as a corporation incorporated in Delaware, holds a $1 billion-plus commercial contract backlog, and deploys more GEO satellites annually than the three largest incumbent GEO operators combined.
Astranis firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Astranis
- Legal name
- Astranis Space Technologies Corp.
- Website
- https://astranis.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2015
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 251–500 employees
- Short description
- Astranis designs, manufactures, and operates small geostationary orbit (MicroGEO) communications satellites for national telecom operators, sovereign governments, and the U.S. Department of Defense, delivering dedicated satellite-as-a-service with significantly faster order-to-orbit timelines than legacy GEO platforms.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Astranis industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Satellite Communications Hardware
- NAICS
- Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing (336414), Satellite Telecommunications (517410)
- SIC
- Guided Missiles & Space Vehicles & Parts (3760)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Spacecraft & Satellites (Civil/Commercial) (IMABACAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Satellite Network Operations & Capacity Services (NOC, Capacity Leasing, Managed Payload Services) (HDAIAJAI), Satellite Wholesale Capacity & Backhaul (transponder/HTS capacity, teleport services) (HDAIAEAJ)
Keywords
Where Astranis is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- San Francisco
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Astranis business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Satellite Manufacturing and Sales: Astranis designs, manufactures, and sells dedicated microGEO satellites to customers. Customers include national telecom operators (Chunghwa Telecom, Thaicom), enterprise customers (APCO), government agencies, and sovereign entities (MB Group Oman). Revenue recognized from satellite construction and delivery contracts.
- Satellite-as-a-Service (Hosted Payload/Dedicated Capacity): Customers purchase dedicated satellite bandwidth and capacity without owning the satellite outright. Astranis operates the satellite and provides ongoing service. The $1 billion+ commercial contract backlog suggests significant recurring service revenue from multiple dedicated satellite customers.
- U.S. Government Defense Contracts: Prime contractor for U.S. Space Force programs including Protected Tactical Satcom-Global (PTS-G), Resilient GPS, and Andromeda. Defense contracts provide steady government revenue stream with multi-year development and deployment timelines.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels5 records
Astranis product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Astranis designs, manufactures, and operates MicroGEO — small, software-defined geostationary communications satellites — and sells dedicated satellite capacity (or full dedicated satellites) to national telecom operators, sovereign governments, regional ISPs, and the U.S. Department of Defense. The company has five MicroGEO satellites in orbit and five more in production, with order-to-orbit delivery in 18-24 months versus 5-7 years for traditional GEO programs. Its commercial revenue is built around the Satellite-as-a-Service model, complemented by prime defense contracts and a tactical MANET product called Vanguard.
Product overview
Astranis builds the world's most advanced satellites for high orbits, with MicroGEO as its core product offering software-defined small geostationary communications satellites. The company operates a dual-use strategy serving both commercial and defense markets. Commercial products include dedicated MicroGEO satellites for broadband connectivity (e.g., Taiwan, Oman, Philippines, Alaska) and the Vanguard MANET product for mobile communications. Government offerings include the Protected Tactical SATCOM Global (PTS-G) prime contractor role, participation in the Andromeda space domain awareness program, and the Resilient GPS backup program. The Omega program represents the next-generation broadband spacecraft. Astranis is the only company operating this class of small GEO satellites, with five currently in orbit and five more in production, offering significantly faster delivery timelines than traditional GEO operators.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Vanguard: A fully air-gapped, rapidly deployable satellite-enabled mobile ad-hoc network (MANET) product developed in partnership with Persistent Systems, Kymeta, and Satcube. Designed for defense missions and first responders enabling voice, video, and broadband data in contested or cellular-denied environments.
Products and services
- MicroGEO Satellites Software-defined small geostationary orbit (GEO) communications satellites manufactured in San Francisco, providing dedicated broadband connectivity for commercial and defense customers. Delivered from order to orbit in approximately 18-24 months.
- Vanguard Satellite-enabled Mobile Ad-Hoc Network (MANET) product providing fully air-gapped, rapidly deployable communications for defense missions and first responders, supporting voice, video, and broadband data in contested or cellular-denied environments without a central hub or existing infrastructure.
- Protected Tactical SATCOM Global (PTS-G) U.S. Space Force program providing jam-resistant, rapidly deployable tactical communications satellites. Astranis serves as prime contractor using a common spacecraft design also used for commercial MicroGEO missions.
- Andromeda Program U.S. Space Force $1.8 billion next-generation orbital surveillance program; Astranis is one of 14 contractors on fixed-price IDIQ agreements through April 2036.
- Resilient GPS U.S. Space Force program exploring commercial, low-cost navigation satellites as backup to the existing GPS constellation; Astranis is one of three companies selected for Phase 0.
- Omega Next-Generation Broadband Spacecraft Next-generation broadband MicroGEO spacecraft program funded by the July 2024 Series D, designed to deliver high-throughput internet services from geostationary orbit.
- Commercial Connectivity Services Satellite-as-a-Service offering of dedicated broadband capacity from MicroGEO satellites for commercial customers worldwide, including Alaska, the Philippines, Mexico, Thailand, and other underserved regions.
- Government Mission Services Government satellite services for communications, science, and Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) missions, with contracts in place with U.S. Space Force, NASA, and other government partners supporting high-orbit operations.
Quantifiable outcome
- 5 satellites in orbit with 5 more in production, scaling faster than any other GEO operator in history
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Astranis
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Astranis technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration5 records
Feature5 records
Astranis partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- Persistent SystemscorePartnership to develop Vanguard - a satellite-enabled mobile ad-hoc network (MANET) product for defense and first responders. Persistent Systems' MPU5 broadband radios used in live demonstration with Astranis satellite in geostationary orbit. Enables hubless voice, video, and broadband data in contested environments.
- KymetacorePartner in Vanguard product development providing flat-panel user terminals for communications on-the-move. Terminals connect directly to Astranis satellite to provide backhaul and extend MANET network beyond line of sight.
- SatcubecorePartner in Vanguard product development providing flat-panel user terminals for communications on the pause. Terminals demonstrated connecting directly to Astranis satellite for satellite backhaul and network extension.
- Impulse SpacecoreContract signed for 2027 mission using Impulse's Helios kick stage to transport Astranis MicroGEO satellites from LEO to GEO in under 24 hours. Partnership enables faster, more reliable satellite deployment without requiring heavy-class rockets. Helios uses chemical propulsion via Deneb engine for rapid orbit transfer.
- Chunghwa TelecomcoreStrategic partnership to build Taiwan's first dedicated MicroGEO communications satellite. Chunghwa investing up to $115M in the venture. Satellite complements Chunghwa's multi-orbit architecture (ST-2 GEO, OneWeb LEO, SES MEO) and reinforces resilient 'Sky, Land, Sea, and Air' network for Taiwan.
- SpaceXcoreSpaceX provides Falcon 9 launch services for Astranis satellites. Astranis contracted an entire Falcon 9 rocket for four satellites in 2024, and signed additional Falcon 9 contract in January 2025 for five more MicroGEO satellites. Impulse Space mission also targets Falcon 9 launch.
- Orbits CorpcorePartnership with Philippine satellite services provider and sister company to local ISP HTechCorp to launch first-ever internet satellite dedicated to Philippines. Orbits Corp led by former Congressman Atty Augusto Baculio, with 20+ years experience providing internet to 7,000+ Philippine islands.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Astranis competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- SES S.A. One of the world's largest GEO satellite operators providing commercial and government communications globally through its O3b mPOWER and SES fleet. Comparable to Astranis as an incumbent GEO operator whose existing long-life satellites compete head-to-head for the same sovereign and telco capacity contracts Astranis is targeting.
- Boeing Defense, Space & Security: Major U.S. prime building traditional large GEO communications satellites and a long-standing DoD satellite provider. Comparable to Astranis as an incumbent GEO satellite manufacturer whose 5-7 year build cycles and high-cost satellites Astranis is undercutting on price and delivery time.
- Thales Alenia Space: European-Joint venture manufacturing traditional GEO communications satellites and major European defense spacecraft. Comparable to Astranis as an incumbent GEO satellite manufacturer whose traditional product line competes with MicroGEO on the same global sovereign and defense RFPs.
- Eutelsat Group: European GEO operator combined with OneWeb's LEO constellation, offering multi-orbit broadband and government services. Comparable to Astranis as a multi-orbit competitor bidding into the same sovereign broadband and EMEA defense markets Astranis is pursuing.
- Viasat: Global satellite communications operator offering broadband, in-flight connectivity, and defense communications after its Inmarsat combination. Comparable to Astranis as a full-stack satellite operator competing for similar enterprise, aviation/maritime (Anuvu's market), and DoD tactical communications opportunities.
- Lockheed Martin Space: One of the three largest traditional GEO satellite manufacturers and a major U.S. DoD prime (and now owner of Terran Orbital). Comparable to Astranis as the incumbent GEO manufacturer whose business Astranis is directly disrupting with smaller, faster, cheaper satellites, and whose defense footprint Astranis is moving into via PTS-G and Andromeda.
- Intelsat: Major geostationary satellite operator providing commercial and government communications worldwide (now a private company post-2020 restructuring). Directly comparable as an incumbent GEO capacity and managed-services provider competing for the same enterprise and government customer base Astranis sells into.
Direct peers
- York Space Systems: Denver-based small-satellite manufacturer producing standardized spacecraft buses for defense and commercial customers with rapid-delivery positioning. Closely comparable to Astranis in target customer set (DoD/Space Force), small-sat business model, and emphasis on speed over traditional GEO timelines.
- Terran Orbital: Small-satellite platform manufacturer focused on both commercial and U.S. defense customers, offering modular satellite buses and constellation manufacturing. Most comparable to Astranis as a peer-scale small-sat producer with significant defense exposure (now operating as a Lockheed Martin subsidiary).
Emerging players
- Apex Space: Emerging small-satellite bus manufacturer targeting both LEO and GEO class spacecraft with a software-and-hardware platform approach. Comparable to Astranis as a newer-generation small-sat platform competitor pursuing GEO-class missions that historically belonged to large primes.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat7 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Astranis social profiles
Digital presenceAstranis financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Astranis leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
Astranis funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds11 records
Investors53 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Astranis 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 Astranis
What does Astranis do?
Astranis designs, manufactures, and operates MicroGEO — small, software-defined geostationary communications satellites — and sells dedicated satellite capacity (or full dedicated satellites) to national telecom operators, sovereign governments, regional ISPs, and the U.S. Department of Defense. The company has five MicroGEO satellites in orbit and five more in production, with order-to-orbit delivery in 18-24 months versus 5-7 years for traditional GEO programs. Its commercial revenue is built around the Satellite-as-a-Service model, complemented by prime defense contracts and a tactical MANET product called Vanguard.
Is Astranis a public or private company?
Astranis is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Astranis founded?
Astranis was founded in 2015. It employs 251 to 500 people.
Where is Astranis based?
Astranis is headquartered in San Francisco, United States, in the North America region.
How does Astranis make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Satellite Manufacturing and Sales are the primary driver. The others are satellite-as-a-Service (Hosted Payload/Dedicated Capacity) and U.S. Government Defense Contracts.
Who are Astranis's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are SES S.A., Boeing Defense, Space & Security, Thales Alenia Space, Eutelsat Group, Viasat, Lockheed Martin Space and Intelsat. Direct peers are York Space Systems and Terran Orbital. Apex Space is listed as an emerging player.
Does Astranis have an API?
No public API is recorded for Astranis.
What industry is Astranis in?
Astranis's product category is Satellite Communications Hardware. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMABACAB, Spacecraft & Satellites (Civil/Commercial), with a secondary code of HDAIAJAI, Satellite Network Operations & Capacity Services (NOC, Capacity Leasing, Managed Payload Services). Its NAICS code is 336414 and its SIC code is 3760.