SpaceLocker
SpaceLocker is a French space-tech company that provides hosted orbital payload services using its patented Universal Space Port interface, enabling startups, researchers, and institutions to send instruments to orbit without building dedicated satellites.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2022
- HeadquartersParis, France
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What SpaceLocker does
SpaceLocker SAS is a French private aerospace company founded in 2022 and headquartered in Neuilly-sur-Seine, with additional offices in Paris (hosted by the Agoranov deep-tech incubator) and Toulouse. The company provides hosted orbital payload services that allow customers — primarily startups, research institutions, and technology developers — to send instruments and experiments to space without building dedicated satellites. Its core proprietary technology is the patented Universal Space Port, a 'space USB' interface (Container/Key/Lock architecture) that handles mechanical, electrical, data, and power coupling between nearly any payload and a wide range of host spacecraft, from CubeSat-derived platforms to orbital transfer vehicles, geostationary satellites, space stations, and lunar landers. An open-source Space Container standard, retro-compatible with CubeSat and scalable to 100 kg payloads, sits alongside the interface to standardize integration across the ecosystem.
SpaceLocker runs a sales-led go-to-market with a defined five-step funnel (online 'Book your flight' form, meet-up call, commercial proposal, kick-off, mission operations) and supplements direct sales with channel partners acting as host vehicle operators. The company is backed institutionally by CNES, Thales Alenia Space, and ESA BIC, and was the first startup admitted to Thales Alenia Space's Space Business Catalyst. The flight manifest currently includes Hitchhiker 1 (reached orbit January 2025 aboard D-Orbit/ION on SpaceX Falcon 9), Hitchhiker 2 with UARX Space, the first fully owned 16U Out of The Box mission (2026), and pipeline missions extending through 2028 to lunar orbit and surface.
SpaceLocker generates revenue primarily through per-slot payload hosting, with pricing based on payload footprint, electrical power, data link, and pointing requirements (starting at approximately €250,000 per 10x10 cm slot including launch and one year of operations). Customers can pay in four pre-launch installments or via a monthly subscription with retainer at signature. Disclosed named customers are early-stage and small — Wheere (positioning), EDGX, Solar MEMS, Arcsec, and Fédération Open Space Makers — and the company had effectively no revenue track record prior to its first mission in January 2025.
SpaceLocker firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- SpaceLocker
- Legal name
- SpaceLocker SAS
- Website
- https://spacelocker.fr
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2022
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- SpaceLocker is a French space-tech company that provides hosted orbital payload services using its patented Universal Space Port interface, enabling startups, researchers, and institutions to send instruments to orbit without building dedicated satellites.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
SpaceLocker industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Orbital Payload Hosting Services
- NAICS
- Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing (336414), Other Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing (336419)
- SIC
- Guided Missiles & Space Vehicles & Parts (3760), Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Space Logistics & In-Orbit Servicing (Refueling, Tug, Debris Removal) (IMABACAM)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Space Structures, Mechanisms & Thermal Control (IMABACAF), Spacecraft Avionics, Flight Computers & Software (IMABACAI)
Keywords
Where SpaceLocker is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Paris
- HQ country
- France
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices3 records
Markets served
SpaceLocker business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Payload Hosting Services: SpaceLocker generates revenue through hosting customer payloads on shared spacecraft. Pricing is based on payload footprint, electrical power requirements, data link needs, and pointing accuracy. The company offers two payment formulas: payment in 4 installments before launch, or a monthly subscription starting at launch with a retainer at signature.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Multi-year contract | Per-slot pricing based on payload dimensions and requirements |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels4 records
SpaceLocker product offering
Product offeringCore offering
SpaceLocker provides hosted orbital payload services that enable organizations to send experiments, sensors, and technology demonstrations to space without developing their own satellites. The company leverages a proprietary Universal Space Port interface (Container/Key/Lock system) to allow plug-and-play integration of customer payloads onto shared host spacecraft across LEO, MEO, GEO, lunar, and interplanetary destinations. End-to-end mission services cover payload development framework, host vehicle selection, ground support, launch procurement, and direct in-orbit payload operation.
Product overview
SpaceLocker offers a unified orbital hosting services platform enabling organizations to send payloads to orbit without developing dedicated satellites. The core product is the proprietary 'Universal Space Port' technology (Container, Key, Lock system) providing plug-and-play payload integration on shared spacecraft. The company provides complete end-to-end mission services including payload development framework, host vehicle selection, ground support, launch procurement, and direct payload operation. Mission services include named Hitchhiker missions (Hitchhiker 1, 2, 3), Out of the Box (first fully owned mission), Open Space missions, Scale It (constellation deployment), Above your Head (GEO), Full Moon (lunar orbit), and Touch Down (lunar surface). Host vehicles span Shared Satellites, Orbital Transfer Vehicles, Constellations, Large Satellites, Space Stations, Landers, Kick-stages, Interplanetary, and HAAPS.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Universal Space Port SpaceLocker's patented universal satellite interface technology that enables mechanical, electrical, data, and power coupling between nearly any payload and host spacecraft. Comprises three components: Container (payload enclosure), Key (electrical/electronic interface), and Lock (4-in-1 interface on host vehicles). Provided as part of the hosted payload service to enable plug-and-play integration.
- Space Container Open-source standard payload container compatible with CubeSat equipment but scaled to cover payloads up to 100 kg. Retro-compatible with the CubeSat standard while enabling larger and heavier payloads.
- Open Payload Development Framework Hardware and software elements provided to customers for developing space payloads, enabling simplified payload development and integration with the Universal Space Port.
- Hitchhiker 1 mission Inaugural hosted payload mission showcasing shared satellite infrastructure. Hosted on D-Orbit's ION Orbital Transfer Vehicle and launched on SpaceX Falcon 9. Enables multiple customers to test technologies in LEO.
- Hitchhiker 2 mission Second mission in collaboration with UARX Space, hosted aboard the OSSIE space vehicle. Part of a series of three missions scheduled before end of 2025.
- Hitchhiker 3 mission Third Hitchhiker mission scheduled for Q4 2026 and operated by an undisclosed partner. Boarding open with 10 remaining payload slots.
- Out of The Box mission SpaceLocker's first fully owned and operated satellite mission. A 16U CubeSat carrying five European customer payloads. Reduces costs up to three times compared to traditional missions and cuts time-to-orbit in half.
- Open Space 1 mission Small satellite hosted payload mission scheduled for Q1 2027. Boarding open with 16 remaining slots.
- Open Space 2 mission Hosted payload mission scheduled for Q4 2027, with further details to be announced.
- Scale It constellation deployment service Constellation deployment service in LEO at 1000 km allowing customers to deploy constellations of sensors without launching dedicated satellites. Open for interest with 90 remaining slots.
- Above your Head GEO mission Geostationary satellite hosted payload mission scheduled for Q3 2027, providing access to high-performance GEO-based applications.
- Full Moon lunar orbit mission Lunar orbit mission scheduled for 2027, using a Moon Orbiter carrier vehicle to host customer payloads around the Moon.
- Touch Down lunar surface mission Moon surface mission scheduled for 2028, using a Moon Lander carrier vehicle to deliver hosted payloads to the lunar surface.
Quantifiable outcome
- Cost reduction up to 3x compared to traditional dedicated satellite missions
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use SpaceLocker
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
SpaceLocker technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
SpaceLocker partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- D-OrbitcoreD-Orbit's ION Orbital Transfer Vehicle hosts SpaceLocker's Hitchhiker 1 mission. D-Orbit is a leader in in-space logistics providing reliable hosting for SpaceLocker's hosted payload services. SpaceLocker leverages D-Orbit's Falcon 9 launch capabilities.
- UARX SpacecoreStrategic partnership to offer hosted payload services aboard UARX's OSSIE space vehicle. Collaboration streamlines mission engineering and operational logistics, with customers able to integrate payloads using SpaceLocker's containers by 2025. Three missions scheduled before end of 2025.
- SpaceFoundersminorSpaceLocker joined SpaceFounders Batch #5, a European accelerator for space tech startups from Seed to Series A. Supported by CNES, Bundeswehr University and ASI, the program offers mentoring, industry expertise, and connections to the European space network.
- Thales Alenia SpacecoreSpaceLocker became the first startup to join Thales Alenia Space's Space Business Catalyst accelerator program. Partnership focused on Payload Hosting and In-Orbit Servicing. Thales Alenia Space is a major player in the space industry and provides mentorship and industry connections.
- Eutelsat GroupminorSatellite operator listed as a hosting partner for SpaceLocker's payload hosting services.
- ExotrailminorSpacecraft operator listed as a hosting partner for SpaceLocker's payload hosting services.
- HemeriaminorSpacecraft operator listed as a hosting partner for SpaceLocker's payload hosting services.
- The Exploration CompanyminorSpacecraft operator listed as a hosting partner for SpaceLocker's payload hosting services.
- MaiaSpaceminorSpacecraft operator listed as a hosting partner for SpaceLocker's payload hosting services.
- HybroginesminorSpacecraft operator listed as a hosting partner for SpaceLocker's payload hosting services.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
SpaceLocker competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Exotrail: French in-space mobility provider (SpaceVan OTV, GEO轨道) listed as a SpaceLocker host partner. Competes with SpaceLocker on the same orbital hosting concept while also enabling it, with overlapping customer pools in European space-tech startups and constellations.
- Exolaunch: Germany-headquartered launch and deployment services provider for small satellites. Offers payload hosting, integration, and mission management services comparable to SpaceLocker, with an established CubeSat-standard heritage and a broader manifest across multiple launch vehicles.
- Momentus Space: US in-space transportation and hosted-services company developing orbital transfer vehicles and payload hosting. Operates in the same hosted-payload + OTV intersection as SpaceLocker, targeting similar customers needing affordable access to non-ISS orbits.
- Nanoracks (Voyager Space): US pioneer of hosted payload services and provider of the Bishop Airlock on the ISS. Operates as part of Voyager Space's exploration ecosystem and directly competes with SpaceLocker for hosted-payload customers across LEO and space-station environments using standardized interfaces.
- D-Orbit: Italian in-space logistics company operating the ION Orbital Transfer Vehicle that hosted SpaceLocker's Hitchhiker 1. D-Orbit offers its own hosted payload and orbital insertion services, making it both a host partner and direct competitor for hosted-payload customers seeking rides via OTVs.
- UARX Space: Spanish in-orbit services startup with the OSSIE space vehicle currently partnered with SpaceLocker for Hitchhiker 2. Competes with SpaceLocker for hosted-payload customers but also opens up a competing spacecraft platform alongside SpaceLocker's outitsource-of-host model.
Broad incumbents
- Thales Alenia Space: Major European space prime running the Space Business Catalyst that incubated SpaceLocker, also a partner and implicit future competitor. Operates broadly across satellite manufacturing, hosted payloads, and in-orbit servicing — at much larger scale but with less specialized focus on hosted-payload standardization.
- Airbus Defence and Space: European aerospace prime with deep offerings across satellite buses, hosted payloads, in-orbit services, and orbital infrastructure. Represents a large-incumbent competitive threat that could internalize hosted-payload offerings at scale.
Regional players
- Hemeria: French small-satellite manufacturer listed as SpaceLocker host partner. Comparable as a Toulouse-based supplier of satellite platforms that could evolve hosted-payload services, but primarily serves French/European defense and institutional customers rather than competing for SpaceLocker's startup segment.
Emerging players
- Orbit Fab: US in-orbit servicing and refueling startup building ecosystem infrastructure similar in spirit to SpaceLocker's interface standardization play. Comparable as an emerging player commercializing in-orbit services through proprietary hardware and partner-hosted capacity.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
SpaceLocker social profiles
Digital presenceSpaceLocker financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
SpaceLocker leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles10 records
SpaceLocker funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
SpaceLocker 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 SpaceLocker
What does SpaceLocker do?
SpaceLocker provides hosted orbital payload services that enable organizations to send experiments, sensors, and technology demonstrations to space without developing their own satellites. The company leverages a proprietary Universal Space Port interface (Container/Key/Lock system) to allow plug-and-play integration of customer payloads onto shared host spacecraft across LEO, MEO, GEO, lunar, and interplanetary destinations. End-to-end mission services cover payload development framework, host vehicle selection, ground support, launch procurement, and direct in-orbit payload operation.
Is SpaceLocker a public or private company?
SpaceLocker is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was SpaceLocker founded?
SpaceLocker was founded in 2022. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is SpaceLocker based?
SpaceLocker is headquartered in Paris, France, in the Europe region.
How does SpaceLocker make money?
One revenue line is on record: payload Hosting Services.
Who are SpaceLocker's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Exotrail, Exolaunch, Momentus Space, Nanoracks (Voyager Space), D-Orbit and UARX Space. Broad incumbents are Thales Alenia Space and Airbus Defence and Space. Hemeria is listed as a regional player. Orbit Fab is listed as an emerging player.
Does SpaceLocker have an API?
No public API is recorded for SpaceLocker.
What industry is SpaceLocker in?
SpaceLocker's product category is Orbital Payload Hosting Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMABACAM, Space Logistics & In-Orbit Servicing (Refueling, Tug, Debris Removal), with a secondary code of IMABACAF, Space Structures, Mechanisms & Thermal Control. Its NAICS code is 336414 and its SIC code is 3760.