AAC Clyde Space
AAC Clyde Space is a Swedish public small-satellite manufacturer and operator that designs CubeSat platforms and subsystems (power, avionics, laser comms) and delivers subscription-based space data services from proprietary Earth observation and maritime constellations to government, maritime, weather, and defense customers worldwide.
- Company typePublic
- Founded2005
- HeadquartersUppsala, Sweden
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What AAC Clyde Space does
AAC Clyde Space AB is a Swedish publicly-traded small satellite company headquartered in Uppsala, founded in 2005 and listed on NASDAQ Stockholm (ticker ACCMF / OTCQX ACCMF). The group designs, manufactures, and operates CubeSat and microsatellite platforms alongside a portfolio of flight-qualified subsystems, and delivers subscription-based space data services from its own constellations. Core platforms include the EPIC LINK communications CubeSat (hosting VDES payloads) and EPIC VIEW Earth Observation CubeSat; subsidiary-built subsystems include STARBUCK power conditioning and distribution units, Sirius command and data handling avionics, AAC Hyperion's CubeCAT laser communication terminals, and AAC Omnisys's microwave radiometer weather payloads.
The company earns revenue across four streams: satellite platform and subsystem hardware sales (project-based, multi-year contracts); Space Data as a Service delivered via proprietary constellations (VIREON Earth Observation, Sedna maritime, INFLECION maritime domain awareness expected operational by 2028); European Space Agency and UK Space Agency development contracts; and end-to-end mission services. Customers span maritime, weather and climate, agriculture, government and defense, and satellite operator segments, with notable relationships including ESA, EUMETSAT, OHB Sweden, the US Coast Guard, Intuitive Machines (NASA CLPS lunar lander), Astroscale (space debris removal), ORBCOMM/Saab (AOS VDES), Wyvern Inc. (hyperspectral data), and Horizon Technologies (Amber SIGINT constellation). Sales cycles are long and project-based for hardware, while data services operate on multi-year subscription contracts such as the Wyvern 4-year commitment.
AAC Clyde Space operates through five wholly-owned subsidiaries (AAC Hyperion in the Netherlands, AAC Omnisys in Gothenburg, AAC SpaceQuest in the US, AAC Space Africa, and Spacemetric AB acquired October 2024), manufacturing in Uppsala and Glasgow, and selling into Europe, North America, Asia, and Africa. As of Q1 2025 the company reported an order backlog of SEK 1.1 billion against full-year 2025 net sales guidance of SEK 440-510 million, with 15 satellites planned for launch over the following six months and Data & Services revenue growing approximately 78.5% year-on-year.
AAC Clyde Space firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- AAC Clyde Space
- Legal name
- AAC Clyde Space AB
- Website
- https://aac-clyde.space
- Company type
- Public
- Founded year
- 2005
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- AAC Clyde Space is a Swedish public small-satellite manufacturer and operator that designs CubeSat platforms and subsystems (power, avionics, laser comms) and delivers subscription-based space data services from proprietary Earth observation and maritime constellations to government, maritime, weather, and defense customers worldwide.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
AAC Clyde Space industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Small Satellite Technology
- NAICS
- Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing (336414), Other Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing (336419), Satellite Telecommunications (51741)
- SIC
- Guided Missiles & Space Vehicles & Parts (3760), Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812), Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Spacecraft & Satellites (Civil/Commercial) (IMABACAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Spacecraft Avionics, Flight Computers & Software (IMABACAI), Space Payloads & Instruments (Sensors, Comms, EO/IR) (IMABACAD), Space Structures, Mechanisms & Thermal Control (IMABACAF), Satellite Broadband Internet Access (Consumer/SMB) (HDAIAJAA), Satellite Network Operations & Capacity Services (NOC, Capacity Leasing, Managed Payload Services) (HDAIAJAI)
Keywords
Where AAC Clyde Space is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Uppsala
- HQ country
- Sweden
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices4 records
Markets served
AAC Clyde Space business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Satellite Manufacturing & Components: Design, manufacture, and sale of satellite platforms (CubeSats, microsatellites) and subsystems (power systems, command & data handling, communications). Revenue recognized from individual satellite orders and subsystem sales to customers globally.
- Space Data as a Service: Subscription-based data services delivering Earth observation, maritime (AIS, VDES), and other satellite-derived data to customers. Recurring revenue model with multi-year customer commitments such as the Wyvern 4-year data subscription.
- ESA R&D Funding & Contracts: Development funding and contracts from European Space Agency for satellite technology development programs including Sirius EDGE, power systems enhancement, and constellation development.
- Satellite Mission Services: End-to-end mission services including launch integration, commissioning, and satellite operations for customer missions.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Custom satellite and subsystem orders - project-based pricing |
| Subscription | Annual | Space Data as a Service - subscription model |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels7 records
AAC Clyde Space product offering
Product offeringCore offering
AAC Clyde Space designs, manufactures, and sells small satellite platforms (EPIC LINK, EPIC VIEW), satellite subsystems (STARBUCK power systems, Sirius command and data handling, CubeCAT laser communication terminals), and provides space-based data services including maritime VDES/AIS and Earth observation data through proprietary constellations. The company delivers end-to-end space missions, supporting customers from subsystem supply through full constellation operations.
Product overview
AAC Clyde Space is a small satellite technology company offering end-to-end space solutions encompassing satellite platforms, subsystems, mission services, and space-based data. The core spacecraft platforms include EPIC LINK and EPIC VIEW CubeSat platforms for communications and Earth Observation respectively, supporting VDES, AIS, and hyperspectral imaging payloads. The company manufactures power systems (STARBUCK-MINI, STARBUCK-NANO, STARBUCK-MINI MCC) and command & data handling solutions (Sirius QuadCore, Sirius OBC/TCM, Kryten-M3, Q7S), and develops laser communication terminals (CubeCAT) through subsidiary AAC Hyperion. Data services are delivered through proprietary constellations including VIREON (Earth Observation), INFLECION (maritime domain awareness), and maritime AIS/VDES data services. The group operates through subsidiaries including AAC Omnisys (weather payloads), AAC SpaceQuest (US operations), AAC Space Africa, and Spacemetric (acquired 2024 for EO data analytics).
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- AOS: Brand for VDES maritime communication services developed in partnership with Saab and ORBCOMM
- VIREON
- EPIC LINK
- EPIC VIEW
- CubeCAT
- STARBUCK
- Sirius
Products and services
- EPIC LINK
- EPIC VIEW
- CubeCAT
- STARBUCK-MINI
- STARBUCK-NANO
- STARBUCK-MINI MCC
- Sirius QuadCore
- Sirius OBC-LEON3FT
- Sirius TCM-LEON3FT
- Kryten-M3
- Q7S
- Sedna
- VIREON
- Maritime AIS Data
- Maritime VDES Data
Quantifiable outcome
- VDES provides up to 32 times more bandwidth than AIS
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use AAC Clyde Space
Customer profileNamed customers10 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
AAC Clyde Space technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature7 records
AAC Clyde Space partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
13 partnerships are on record, tiered key, core and minor.
- EMTECH SPACE S.A.keyAAC Clyde Space delivered its first two CubeCAT laser communication terminals to EMTECH SPACE for Greece's Hellenic Space Dawn (HSD) mission, developed with ESA support through Greek Recovery and Resilience Facility. The terminals enable high-speed optical downlinks from orbit.
- INFLECION Consortium PartnerscoreINFLECION brings together AAC Clyde Space with AST Marine, Bright Ascension, Craft Prospect, Heriot Watt University, Horizon Technologies, ICEYE UK, Omanos Analytics, Nash Maritime, Plymouth Marine Laboratory, Saab UK, and University of Strathclyde to develop a maritime domain awareness constellation combining VDES, SIGINT, and SAR technologies.
- AOS (ORBCOMM & Saab Partnership)coreAOS is a co-owned brand partnership between AAC Clyde Space, ORBCOMM, and Saab for developing next-generation space-based VDES (VHF Data Exchange System). The consortium aims to create a global maritime communication network enabling ship-to-ship and ship-to-shore communication globally. YMIR-1 is the first satellite in this initiative.
- European Space Agency (ESA)coreMultiple ESA contracts and funding programs including ARTES Partnership Projects, Phi-Lab Sweden, and Earth Watch programme. ESA provides funding for satellite development including EPS-Sterna, Arctic Weather Satellite, Sirius EDGE, and INFLECION maritime constellation. Total INFLECION project valued at €30.7M with 50% ESA co-funding.
- US Coast Guard Research and Development CenterkeyAAC Clyde Space (via AAC SpaceQuest US subsidiary) signed a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) to evaluate satellite-based VDES capability for maritime domain awareness. Evaluation to be conducted during 2026 using Sedna-2 satellite with reference node at USCG R&D Center in New London, Connecticut.
- Intuitive MachineskeyAAC Clyde Space supplies STARBUCK-MINI PCDU power systems for Intuitive Machines' Nova-C lunar lander mission under NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative. The IM-1 mission represents AAC's first lunar application.
- Horizon Technologieskey4.6 MGBP order for two EPIC-6U satellites forming part of Horizon Technologies' Amber constellation for Maritime Domain Awareness signal intelligence. Satellites will locate and track vessels by geolocating RF signals to combat piracy, illegal fishing, and smuggling. First customer is UK National Maritime Information Centre.
- AstroscalekeyAAC Clyde Space provides Starbuck power systems, Sirius avionics, and other subsystems for Astroscale's ELSA-M end-of-life space debris removal service. Development supported by UK Space Agency and ESA as part of Sunrise programme.
- OHB SwedenkeyOHB Sweden is prime contractor for ESA Arctic Weather Satellite using the InnoSat platform. AAC Clyde Space delivers microwave radiometer (via AAC Omnisys), STARBUCK power system, and Sirius command and data handling system. AWS serves as foundation for EPS-Sterna constellation.
- SpaceXkeyAAC Clyde Space participates in SpaceX Rideshare program, having launched on every Transporter mission. Multiple satellites including VIREON-1, VIREON-2, and xSPANCION satellites launched via SpaceX Transporter missions.
- KTH Royal Institute of TechnologyminorKTH Royal Institute of Technology collaborates with AAC Clyde Space and Spacemetric subsidiary on Sirius EDGE on-board computer development for AI-ready edge processing capabilities at low power for small satellites and UAVs.
- UK Space AgencycoreUK Space Agency provides co-funding (50%) for INFLECION project through ESA ARTES Partnership Project and supports various UK-based satellite development programs. Committed over £600 million to satellite communications R&D.
- AAC Clyde Space SubsidiariescoreAAC Clyde Space operates subsidiaries including AAC Hyperion (laser comms - Netherlands), AAC Omnisys (weather payloads - Gothenburg), Spacemetric (data processing - Uppsala), and AAC SpaceQuest (US operations). These subsidiaries develop and deliver key components and capabilities for parent company missions.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
AAC Clyde Space competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Spire Global: Small satellite operator delivering weather, maritime AIS, and aviation data via subscription models directly comparable to AAC's Space Data as a Service strategy.
- ICEYE: SAR satellite operator and mission services provider; INFLECION consortium partner alongside AAC for UK maritime domain awareness, with overlapping EO/data services offering.
- Terran Orbital: US small satellite manufacturer and mission integrator providing satellite buses and constellation services comparable to AAC's EPIC platforms and mission offering.
- GomSpace: Swedish-listed nanosatellite and CubeSat bus manufacturer with comparable EPIC-style platforms and mission services; competes head-to-head with AAC in the commercial and institutional smallsat market.
- Surrey Satellite Technology (SSTL): UK-based small satellite manufacturer owned by Airbus; competes with AAC in EO, maritime, and science microsatellite platforms with similar institutional customer base including ESA.
- NanoAvionics: Smallsat bus manufacturer (now part of Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace) offering modular satellite platforms comparable to AAC's EPIC LINK and EPIC VIEW for commercial and institutional missions.
- York Space Systems: US defense-focused smallsat bus manufacturer with institutional/government customer base comparable to AAC's ESA and USCG relationships; competing for similar constellation contracts.
Emerging players
- Open Cosmos: UK-based end-to-end smallsat mission provider offering design, manufacture, launch, and operations services comparable to AAC's mission services business, particularly for ESA programs.
Broad incumbents
- OHB Sweden: OHB Group subsidiary and prime contractor on Arctic Weather Satellite (using AAC's subsystems); competes as a larger institutional satellite prime with overlapping smallsat capabilities.
- Planet Labs: Large commercial EO satellite operator with proprietary Dove and SkySat constellations; adjacent competitor in agricultural and maritime EO data services overlapping with AAC's VIREON offering.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
AAC Clyde Space social profiles
Digital presenceAAC Clyde Space financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
AAC Clyde Space leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
AAC Clyde Space subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries5 records
AAC Clyde Space funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds3 records
Investors3 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
AAC Clyde Space 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 AAC Clyde Space
What does AAC Clyde Space do?
AAC Clyde Space designs, manufactures, and sells small satellite platforms (EPIC LINK, EPIC VIEW), satellite subsystems (STARBUCK power systems, Sirius command and data handling, CubeCAT laser communication terminals), and provides space-based data services including maritime VDES/AIS and Earth observation data through proprietary constellations. The company delivers end-to-end space missions, supporting customers from subsystem supply through full constellation operations.
Is AAC Clyde Space a public or private company?
AAC Clyde Space is a public company. It is classified as public and is currently operating.
When was AAC Clyde Space founded?
AAC Clyde Space was founded in 2005. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is AAC Clyde Space based?
AAC Clyde Space is headquartered in Uppsala, Sweden, in the Europe region.
How does AAC Clyde Space make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Satellite Manufacturing & Components are the primary driver. The others are space Data as a Service, ESA R&D Funding & Contracts and satellite Mission Services.
Who are AAC Clyde Space's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Spire Global, ICEYE, Terran Orbital, GomSpace, Surrey Satellite Technology (SSTL), NanoAvionics and York Space Systems. Open Cosmos is listed as an emerging player. Broad incumbents are OHB Sweden and Planet Labs.
Does AAC Clyde Space have an API?
No public API is recorded for AAC Clyde Space.
What industry is AAC Clyde Space in?
AAC Clyde Space's product category is Small Satellite Technology. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMABACAB, Spacecraft & Satellites (Civil/Commercial), with a secondary code of IMABACAI, Spacecraft Avionics, Flight Computers & Software. Its NAICS code is 336414 and its SIC code is 3760.