What EllipSpace does

EllipSpace is a Beijing-headquartered Chinese commercial aerospace company that designs, manufactures, and operates the StarPool constellation — a planned 112+ satellite network integrating communication, navigation, remote sensing, and on-board computing (iCNR) on each satellite. The company operates three proprietary satellite platform families: ESP50 (under 50kg), ESP300 (around 300kg), and ESP500 (500kg and above), built around a three-axis zero-momentum control architecture and a central Onboard Intelligent Electronic Unit that handles TT&C, attitude/orbit control, GNSS, data management, storage, transmission, on-board computing, and autonomous mission planning. Manufacturing is anchored in the EllipSpace Intelligent Satellite Factory in Bengbu, Anhui, which began operations in December 2024 with capacity for 100 satellites per year under 1,000kg and an 8-satellite parallel assembly cycle of 30 days.

The commercial model spans two reinforcing streams. First, satellite manufacturing and customization: EllipSpace sells ESP-platform satellites, ground terminals (integrated communication and navigation augmentation terminals with centimeter-level positioning), and full launch coordination to domestic and international customers. Second, subscription-style space information services delivered through eight vertical application platforms covering energy infrastructure, agriculture, finance and insurance, forestry and grassland, water conservancy, disaster and emergency response, meteorological early warning, and infrastructure monitoring. These platforms consume multi-modal data from the constellation — panchromatic, multi-spectral, hyper-spectral, thermal infrared, GNSS-R, and nighttime imagery — plus IoT sensor streams and feed them into AI-driven analytics, predictive modeling, and digital-twin decision systems.

The company targets B2B and B2G customers through direct enterprise sales and international partnerships, with named customer segments including state-owned energy operators, agricultural enterprises, financial institutions, meteorological and emergency management bureaus, and Belt-and-Road-aligned international customers across roughly 30 countries in Africa, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Central Asia, and Latin America. The 2025 C1 funding round, NDRC approval of StarPool Phase I (February 2025), and the operational satellite factory together position the company to scale the constellation toward its 2027 completion target, while current in-orbit assets provide only a partial deployment at this stage.

Name

EllipSpace

Legal name

椭圆时空（北京）科技有限公司 (EllipSpace (Beijing) Technology Co., Ltd.)

Website

https://ellipspace.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

EllipSpace is a Beijing-based Chinese commercial aerospace company operating the planned 112-satellite StarPool constellation, integrating communication, navigation, remote sensing, and on-board computing on each satellite to deliver real-time data services across energy, agriculture, finance, forestry, water, disaster, meteorology, and infrastructure verticals in roughly 30 countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Satellite Data Services

NAICS

Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing (336414), Satellite Telecommunications (5174)

SIC

Guided Missiles & Space Vehicles & Parts (3760)

akta.pro primary industry

Spacecraft & Satellites (Civil/Commercial) (IMABACAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Space Payloads & Instruments (Sensors, Comms, EO/IR) (IMABACAD), Spacecraft Avionics, Flight Computers & Software (IMABACAI), Satellite Imagery & Remote Sensing Geospatial Platforms (BPAMANAM), GNSS/GPS Navigation & Augmentation Systems (IMABAFAC)

Keywords

• Satellite manufacturing services
• Remote sensing data
• Satellite navigation augmentation
• IoT satellite communication
• Space-based monitoring

Headquarters

HQ city

Beijing

HQ country

China

HQ region

Asia

Offices9 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Satellite Manufacturing and Customization Services: EllipSpace designs and manufactures three satellite platform families (ESP50, ESP300, ESP500) for domestic and international customers. The company operates an intelligent satellite factory in Anhui Bengbu with annual capacity of 100 satellites, offering end-to-end services from design and assembly to testing and launch coordination.
2. Space Information Services and Data Products: Revenue from providing real-time wide-area comprehensive sensing data products and space-based information services to customers in energy, agriculture, finance, government, and infrastructure sectors. Services include remote sensing imagery, navigation augmentation, IoT communication, and AI-driven analytics delivered via the StarPool constellation.
3. Satellite Data Application Platforms: SaaS-style platforms providing sector-specific monitoring, analysis, and decision-support services across eight verticals: smart forestry, energy monitoring, disaster/emergency response, meteorological early warning, smart agriculture, financial analytics, water conservancy, and infrastructure monitoring.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

EllipSpace designs and manufactures multi-functional intelligent satellites integrating communication, navigation, remote sensing, and onboard computing (iCNR) technology through its ESP50, ESP300, and ESP500 satellite platforms. It operates the StarPool (星池计划) constellation of 112+ satellites delivering real-time responsive remote sensing, centimeter-level navigation augmentation, and narrowband IoT communication, along with eight vertical application platforms spanning energy, agriculture, forestry, disaster response, meteorology, finance, water conservancy, and infrastructure monitoring.

Product overview

EllipSpace operates a platform-plus-modules architecture centered on its StarPool (星池计划) satellite constellation of 112+ satellites offering integrated communication, navigation, remote sensing, and computing (iCNR). The product portfolio includes three proprietary satellite platforms (ESP50 <50kg, ESP300 ~300kg, ESP500 ≥500kg), the Onboard Intelligent Electronic Unit as the satellite 'brain', and the Integrated Communication and Navigation Augmentation Terminal for ground applications. Application platforms span smart forestry, energy monitoring, disaster response, meteorological early warning, smart agriculture, financial analytics, water conservancy, and infrastructure monitoring. The company also operates an intelligent satellite factory with annual capacity of 100 satellites.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• 星池计划 (StarPool): A satellite constellation mission consisting of 112+ satellites offering integrated remote sensing, IoT communication, and navigation enhancement for real-time aerospace information services.
• StarPool-1
• 椭圆时空智能卫星工厂 (EllipSpace Intelligent Satellite Factory)

Products and services

• ESP50 Satellite Platform High-performance small satellite platform under 50kg with three-axis zero-momentum control, integrated TT&C and data transmission, and on-board intelligent processing capability for enterprise and government satellite customers.
• ESP300 Satellite Platform Medium-class satellite platform (~300kg) with integrated communication, navigation, and remote sensing functions, featuring high-precision attitude control and rapid maneuvering capabilities.
• ESP500 Satellite Platform Large satellite platform (≥500kg) with integrated communication, navigation, and remote sensing capabilities, supporting 0.3m high-resolution imaging.
• Onboard Intelligent Electronic Unit (星载智能电子单元) Satellite 'brain' core onboard product handling TT&C, satellite service management, GNSS, attitude/orbit control, data management, storage, transmission, on-board intelligent computing, information exchange, networking control, and autonomous mission planning.
• Integrated Communication and Navigation Augmentation Terminal (通信和导航增强一体终端) Ground terminal providing direct-connect IoT and cluster-head convergence terminals with bidirectional satellite-IoT communication, centimeter-level positioning (≤10mm horizontal accuracy), and ultra-low power consumption (≤100mW).
• StarPool (星池计划) Satellite Constellation Service 112+ satellite constellation providing real-time wide-area comprehensive sensing with integrated communication, navigation, remote sensing, and on-board computing. Features 10-minute responsive remote sensing, centimeter-level navigation augmentation, and high-concurrency narrowband IoT communication globally.
• Smart Forestry and Grassland Information System (智慧林草信息化平台) Comprehensive sensing platform for forestry resource monitoring, biodiversity assessment, nature reserve supervision, and disaster prevention using multi-modal remote sensing and AI analysis.
• Energy Spatio-temporal Big Data Monitoring and Operation System (能源时空大数据监测与运营平台) Platform for energy industry digital transformation providing real-time monitoring of energy extraction, transportation, and market analysis using iCNR satellite capabilities.
• Disaster and Emergency Wide-Area Intelligent Monitoring System (灾害与应急广域智能监测平台) All-weather disaster monitoring platform with AI-powered risk identification, early warning, and emergency response coordination using multi-source sensing and digital twin technology.
• AI Real-Time Comprehensive Sensing Meteorological Early Warning System (AI即时综合感知气象大数据预警平台) AI-powered meteorological platform integrating deep learning models with multi-source data for extreme weather prediction including convection, typhoons, fog, and sandstorms.
• Smart Agriculture Information System (智慧农业信息化平台) Precision agriculture platform using multi-mode remote sensing and IoT for crop monitoring, yield prediction, and automated agricultural machinery guidance with centimeter-level positioning.
• Satellite Financial Big Data Analysis and Decision-Making System (卫星金融大数据分析决策平台) Financial analytics platform providing asset evaluation, risk assessment, and market intelligence using satellite remote sensing for agriculture, energy, and commodities sectors.
• Smart Water Conservancy Comprehensive Monitoring System (智慧水利综合监测平台) Integrated water resources management platform providing flood/drought monitoring, dam safety assessment, and water allocation using space-air-ground-sea sensing network.
• Infrastructure Wide-Area Intelligent Monitoring (泛基础设施广域智能监测) Wide-area infrastructure monitoring for power grids, railways, oil pipelines, and highways using homologous multi-modal remote sensing fusion and digital twin technology.
• EllipSpace Intelligent Satellite Factory (椭圆时空智能卫星工厂) Satellite manufacturing facility in Anhui Bengbu with annual capacity of 100 satellites under 1000kg, featuring automated production lines, robot assembly, and 30-day delivery cycle for 8 parallel units.

Quantifiable outcome

• Responsive remote sensing within 10 minutes (current), targeting 8.8 minutes by 2028
• +5 more outcomes

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability9 records

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered supporting and core.

• 哈尔滨工业大学 (Harbin Institute of Technology)supportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2022Co-initiated the 'StarPool Talent' (星池英才) scholarship program to support outstanding aerospace talent cultivation. Establishes a bridge between aerospace research and application, jointly开拓创新研究方向 (exploring cutting-edge research directions), and supports aerospace talent development for China's aerospace industry.
• 中国长征火箭有限公司 (China Changzheng Rocket Company)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2022Strategic partnership signed at the 14th China International Aerospace Expo for satellite launch services. China Changzheng provides launch vehicle services for StarPool constellation satellites, including the use of Long March 2C and other launch vehicles. This partnership ensures reliable access to launch capacity for the constellation deployment schedule.
• 清华大学深圳研究院太空中心 (Tsinghua University Research Institute Space Center)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpace Center of Research Institute of Tsinghua University in Shenzhen was established on June 23, 2020, marking a strategic R&D collaboration with one of China's leading universities for aerospace technology research and talent development.
• University Partners (Multiple)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerEllipSpace maintains partnerships with multiple universities including Harbin Institute of Technology and Tsinghua University for talent development, research collaboration, and aerospace technology innovation. The company logo page shows partnerships with universities, research institutions, and enterprise partners.
• Research Institute Partners (Multiple)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerEllipSpace collaborates with multiple research institutions including China Academy of Sciences remote sensing facilities, the 812th Research Institute, and others for satellite development, testing, and application research. The company logo page documents partnerships with various research institutes.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Iridium Communications: Established US-listed LEO satellite operator providing global voice, data, and IoT connectivity services. Broader incumbent offering satellite IoT and narrowband communication services that overlap with EllipSpace's high-concurrency IoT communication capability, with mature global ground infrastructure.
• ICEYE: Finland-headquartered SAR satellite constellation operator serving government and commercial customers globally. Comparable peer in satellite-based monitoring for disaster response, infrastructure, and maritime — adjacent to EllipSpace's all-weather imaging claims with established global footprint.
• Spire Global: US-listed company operating a nanosatellite constellation for weather, maritime, and aviation data services. Comparable peer in subscription-based satellite data SaaS for global customers, including IoT-adjacent use cases overlapping with EllipSpace's IoT communication offering.
• Planet Labs: US-listed Earth observation company operating the largest commercial imaging constellation (>200 satellites) with broad geospatial analytics. Larger and more established global incumbent offering comparable remote sensing data products across agriculture, forestry, and infrastructure verticals.

Direct peers

• Satellogic: Argentina-founded publicly listed Earth observation constellation operator with sub-meter resolution imagery services. Direct peer in commercial remote sensing constellation operations and subscription-based analytics, with comparable global go-to-market ambitions.
• Galaxy Space (Yinhe Hangtian): Beijing-based LEO satellite broadband constellation operator (Yinhe Galaxy) building a communications-focused constellation. Direct peer in China's commercial satellite constellation space, targeting IoT/broadband services similar to StarPool's high-concurrency IoT offering.
• Chang Guang Satellite Technology (CGSTL): China's largest commercial remote sensing satellite operator, running the Jilin-1 constellation of 100+ satellites. Directly comparable: Chinese commercial aerospace peer offering remote sensing data products and satellite customization, with overlapping vertical use cases in agriculture, forestry, and infrastructure monitoring.
• Twenty First Century Aerospace Technology (21AT): Early Chinese commercial remote sensing satellite operator providing high-resolution imagery and value-added data services. Direct peer in the China commercial remote sensing data market, with overlapping applications in land resources, agriculture, and emergency response.
• Spacety (Chengdu Guoxing Aerospace): Chinese small-satellite manufacturer and operator providing SAR and optical remote sensing services, similar to EllipSpace's ESP50/ESP300/ESP500 platform offerings. Direct competitor in the Chinese commercial small-satellite market with overlapping government, energy, and infrastructure customers.

Emerging players

• Mino Space (MiniX): Zhejiang-based Chinese commercial satellite startup building a SAR and IoT constellation with university research backing. Emerging peer with narrower scope but overlapping remote sensing and IoT communication use cases, competing for similar Chinese government and SOE customers.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat7 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds3 records

Investors5 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about EllipSpace