AAC Clyde Space

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.

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

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

• Small satellite platforms
• CubeSat subsystems
• Space data services
• Maritime satellite communications
• Earth observation satellites

Headquarters

HQ city

Uppsala

HQ country

Sweden

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. Satellite Mission Services: End-to-end mission services including launch integration, commissioning, and satellite operations for customer missions.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core 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

Named customers10 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered key, core and minor.

• EMTECH SPACE S.A.keyStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 July 2025AAC 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 PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 February 2025INFLECION 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)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 October 2021AOS 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)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMultiple 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 CenterkeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerAAC 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 MachineskeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerAAC 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 TechnologieskeyStrategic or Co-development Partner4.6 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.
• AstroscalekeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerAAC 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 SwedenkeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerOHB 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.
• SpaceXkeyTechnology or IntegrationAAC 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 TechnologyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKTH 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 AgencycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUK 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 SubsidiariescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAAC 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

Direct 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

• Xx.com/AACClydeSpace
• Facebookfacebook.com/aacclydespace
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/aac-clyde-space
• Instagraminstagram.com/aac_clydespace

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds3 records

Investors3 records

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

M&A1 record

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about AAC Clyde Space