Umbra

What Umbra does

Umbra is a US-based space technology company specializing in high-resolution Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite imagery and data products, founded in 2015 in Santa Barbara, California by David Langan and Gabe Dominocielo. The company operates a vertically integrated business model spanning proprietary sensor design, satellite manufacturing, and data product delivery, with a constellation of satellites capable of 25cm ground sampling distance (GSD) resolution and all-weather, day-or-night imaging. Umbra's technology stack combines proprietary deployable antenna systems, 1,200MHz bandwidth radar, and advanced processing algorithms to deliver what the company describes as industry-leading resolution and revisit rates—claiming up to 7x more imagery over high-demand areas than commercial competitors.

The company generates revenue through multiple channels: direct sales of SAR imagery to government and commercial customers, custom satellite mission solutions, and its Canopy self-service satellite tasking platform. Umbra's customer base is anchored by US national security agencies including the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA), Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and Space Development Agency (SDA). In August 2025, Umbra expanded into space hardware components with the launch of its Space Systems business unit, offering nine flight-proven hardware components across power, control, communications, and deployment categories, marking a strategic diversification beyond data services.

Umbra has secured multiple major government contracts, including selection for the NRO's Strategic Commercial Enhancements (SCE) program across multiple stages, with contract ceilings reaching $950M. The company has expanded its physical footprint significantly, opening a 50,000 square foot manufacturing facility in 2025 and investing $6.75M in a Reston, Virginia facility in early 2026. As of 2026, Umbra employs 101-250 people across offices in Santa Barbara, California, Arlington, Virginia, and Reston, Virginia. The company has raised $32M in equity financing and maintains leadership with deep space technology and defense industry expertise.

Name

Umbra

Legal name

Umbra Lab, Inc.

Website

https://umbra.space

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Umbra is a US space technology company specializing in high-resolution Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite imagery with 25cm resolution capabilities. The company serves government and commercial customers through direct sales, custom satellite solutions, and the Canopy self-service tasking platform, with a growing Space Systems hardware business.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Satellite Earth Observation

NAICS

Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing (336414), Other Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing (336419), Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Satellite Imagery & Remote Sensing Geospatial Platforms (BPAMANAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Spacecraft & Satellites (Civil/Commercial) (IMABACAB), Space Payloads & Instruments (Sensors, Comms, EO/IR) (IMABACAD)

Keywords

• Synthetic aperture radar
• Satellite imagery data
• Earth observation services
• Spacecraft hardware components
• Custom satellite solutions

Headquarters

HQ city

Arlington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Remote Sensing Data Products: Umbra sells high-resolution SAR imagery and data products to government and commercial customers through its Remote Sensing business line. Customers can task satellites directly through the Canopy platform or through channel partners.
2. Mission Solutions: Custom satellite solutions for governments and large multinational corporations. Umbra builds and sells complete satellite systems, individual components (bus, payload, antenna), full constellations, ground and flight software, and offers flexible ownership models including customer-owned, customer-owned/Umbra-operated, and Umbra-owned/cost-share models.
3. Space Systems Components: Sale of nine flight-proven hardware components across four categories: Power (battery module, solar array, power package), Control (magnetometer/sun sensor package, reaction wheel, magnetorquer), Communications (network switch, S-band radio), and Deployment (synchronized four-point separation system).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Umbra designs, builds, and operates a constellation of Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) microsatellites that deliver high-resolution (25cm) Earth observation imagery capable of imaging through clouds, smoke, and darkness. The company sells this SAR data and imagery through its Canopy self-service tasking platform, offers custom satellite mission solutions (full constellations, subsystems, and ground/flight software) to governments and large corporations, and commercializes nine flight-proven spacecraft hardware components (power, control, communications, and deployment systems) to satellite operators and integrators worldwide.

Product overview

Umbra is an American space technology company organized around three core product lines: Remote Sensing (SAR data delivered via the Canopy self-service platform), Mission Solutions (custom satellite and constellation sales), and Space Systems (flight-proven hardware components). The Remote Sensing line includes multiple imaging modes (Dwell, Spotlight, Scan) and a full suite of data products in industry-standard formats (CPHD, SICD, NITF, SIDD, GEC GeoTIFF, CSI, SAR Video) plus Open Data. The Mission Solutions line offers governments and corporations the ability to purchase complete satellites, individual subsystems, or full turnkey constellations. Space Systems — launched in August 2025 — commercializes nine flight-proven hardware components across Power (Battery Module, Solar Array, Power Package), Control (Magnetometer and Sun Sensor Package, Reaction Wheel, Magnetorquer), Communications (Network Switch, S-Band Radio), and Deployment (Sync Release) categories. Umbra also participates in the Site3D 3D Earth observation product via a partnership with Array Labs and Raytheon. Data licensing is permissive under CC BY 4.0, and access is managed through the Canopy self-service platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Canopy: Self-service satellite tasking platform allowing customers to directly task Umbra satellites without complex contracts or human interaction.
• Mission Solutions
• Space Systems

Products and services

• Remote Sensing (SAR Data Service) Umbra's primary service delivering high-volume, high-quality Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) imagery globally to government and commercial customers. Provides all-weather, day-or-night imaging at industry-leading 25cm resolution, available via the Canopy self-service tasking platform or direct contracts.
• Canopy Self-Service Tasking Platform Cloud-native, self-service satellite tasking platform enabling customers to directly task Umbra satellites without complex contracts or human interaction. Features transparent scheduling, permissive licensing, universal pricing, and automated satellite operations.
• Mission Solutions Custom satellite mission services for governments and large multinational corporations, offering individual components (bus, payload, antenna), full constellations including formation flying technology, ground and flight software, and flexible ownership models (full handoff, customer-owned/Umbra-operated, or Umbra-owned/cost-share).
• Space Systems Hardware Components Flight-proven, American-made spacecraft hardware portfolio sold to global operators, integrators, and mission builders. Includes nine components across Power (Battery Module, Solar Array, Power Package), Control (Magnetometer and Sun Sensor Package, Reaction Wheel, Magnetorquer), Communications (Network Switch, S-Band Radio), and Deployment (Sync Release synchronized four-point separation system).
• Site3D 3D Earth Observation 3D Earth observation product developed in partnership with Array Labs and Raytheon, combining Umbra's SAR technology with Raytheon's 3D processing algorithms to create SAR point clouds, digital surface models (DSMs), and volumetric estimation and change detection for high-value landscapes and facilities.
• Open Data Program Freely available SAR sample and archival data products released by Umbra under open licensing to support research and development, including over $4 million in free SAR data released in 2024.

Quantifiable outcome

• 5x more data collected than other providers
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

AI capability2 records

Feature9 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and minor.

• NASAmajorTechnology or Integration · 18 February 2026CSDA Program data agreement for supplying multispectral and SAR data for Earth science research. Umbra is one of seven commercial partners providing high-resolution SAR capabilities including tasked Spotlight, StripMap, Scan, and Wide modes.
• e-GEOS (Telespazio/Leonardo)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 December 2025Multi-year strategic agreement to jointly develop geospatial intelligence solutions combining Umbra's SAR constellation with e-GEOS's COSMO-SkyMed satellite data. Partnership divides geographic responsibilities: e-GEOS serves Europe and South America while Umbra leads in North America, Asia, and other territories. e-GEOS applies proprietary AI to Umbra's SAR data for new analytics products.
• Reflex AerospacemajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 April 2025Agreement to provide turnkey cutting-edge SAR solutions to European market. Umbra customizes SAR solutions for integration by Reflex into dedicated satellite bus. First satellite targeted to launch in 2027 with European-focused supply chain.
• SpaceWERX (AFWERX)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 April 2025STRATFI program participant developing next-generation spacecraft for DoD. Matching funds can enable development valued up to $60M. Defense Innovation Unit supporting advancement with R&D funds over 3 years.
• Defense Innovation Unit (DIU)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 April 2025Supporting STRATFI efforts with R&D funds over 3 years to bring best commercial solutions to DoD space efforts.
• National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 March 2025CRADA agreement supporting NGA's Commercial GEOINT strategy. Umbra aids NGA in enhancing operational resiliency, readiness, and development of new data collection modes. Collaboration focuses on novel SAR and RF applications.
• Array LabscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 January 2025Three-way partnership with Array Labs and Raytheon to accelerate Site3D 3D Earth observation product deployment. Umbra provides SAR data combined with Raytheon's 3D processing algorithms to create three-dimensional models for commercial and government customers.
• RaytheoncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 January 2025Partnership leverages Raytheon's 20+ years of 3D processing algorithms adapted for SAR applications. Raytheon provides electro-optical imagery expertise for accurate 3D results unrestricted by cloud coverage.
• National Reconnaissance Office (NRO)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 December 2024Stage III of NRO Commercial Radar Capabilities contract as part of Strategic Commercial Enhancements initiative. Emphasizes scaling SAR data delivery for disaster response, environmental monitoring, and crisis management.
• Space Development Agency (SDA)coreTechnology or Integration · 22 October 2024Multi-million dollar contract to demonstrate feasibility of integrating Umbra's commercial optical inter-satellite link into SDA's Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA).
• DARPAcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 April 2024Phase II of DRIFT program leveraging multiple Umbra SAR satellites in formation for developing groundbreaking processing algorithms and on-orbit multistatic demonstration.
• UP42minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 15 September 2023Partnership enhancing environmental, asset, and land monitoring through UP42's geospatial marketplace platform.
• European Space Imaging (EUSI)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 4 September 2023Partnership to offer Umbra SAR imagery to European remote sensing projects.
• MaxarmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 14 February 2023Maxar secured dedicated access to Umbra's SAR constellation for integration into Maxar's commercial satellite imagery offerings.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Capella Space: US-based commercial SAR satellite operator offering high-resolution SAR imagery to government and commercial customers. Closest direct competitor to Umbra with overlapping product offerings (tasking, archive data, analytics) and similar target market in US defense/intel.
• ICEYE: Finnish-founded commercial SAR constellation operator and one of Umbra's primary global competitors. Operates a large and growing SAR fleet, sells SAR data and analytics to defense, civil government, and commercial customers worldwide.

Regional players

• Synspective: Japan-based SAR satellite operator building a commercial X-band SAR constellation. Comparable technology stack and commercial SAR data offering, focused primarily on the Japanese and broader Asia-Pacific market.

Broad incumbents

• e-GEOS (Telespazio/Italian Space Agency): Operates the COSMO-SkyMed SAR constellation for the Italian Space Agency and is Umbra's strategic distribution partner for Europe and South America. A leading incumbent in commercial and government SAR with broader geospatial analytics offerings.
• Maxar Technologies: Largest US commercial high-resolution optical satellite imagery provider and a Umbra channel partner (dedicated constellation access for integration into Maxar offerings). Competes broadly in defense/intel GEOINT while now reselling SAR alongside optical.
• Planet Labs: US-based operator of the largest commercial Earth observation satellite fleet, focused on daily-cadence optical imagery. Broad incumbent in commercial remote sensing with overlapping government and commercial customers to Umbra.
• Airbus Defence and Space: Operates the TerraSAR-X and PAZ commercial SAR constellations plus a broad portfolio of optical and defense space systems. Largest European incumbent in SAR imagery and a potential competitor for both US-aligned and international government contracts.

Emerging players

• BlackSky: US-based operator of a small-satellite EO constellation with tasking and analytics services. Smaller and more niche than Umbra but targets overlapping defense and intelligence customers for situational awareness and monitoring.
• Satellogic: Argentina/US operator building a low-Earth-orbit constellation for high-resolution optical and hyperspectral imagery. Targets similar commercial and government Earth observation customers, though not a SAR peer.
• Pixxel: India/US hyperspectral imaging satellite startup building a commercial constellation. Competes for adjacent Earth observation budgets with a differentiated spectral offering rather than SAR.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/umbraspace
• Facebookfacebook.com/umbraspace
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/umbraspace
• Instagraminstagram.com/umbraspace

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds8 records

Investors19 records

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M&A

Investments1 record

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Frequently asked questions about Umbra