SpaceRake
SpaceRake is a Watertown, MA-based laser communications company developing small form factor Free Space Optical (FSO) systems and optical ground station networks to connect autonomous platforms across defense, space, industrial IoT, and critical infrastructure markets.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded-
- HeadquartersCambridge, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What SpaceRake does
SpaceRake, Inc. is a privately held laser communications technology company headquartered at 311 Arsenal St, Suite 101, Watertown, MA, developing multi-domain Free Space Optical (FSO) communication systems for defense, industrial IoT, space, and critical infrastructure customers. The company's core technology is small form factor optical communication hardware that links satellites, drones, and other autonomous platforms across terrestrial, aerial, and space domains while operating entirely outside the radio frequency spectrum, thereby avoiding spectrum licensing requirements and RF interference. Its product portfolio comprises two core lines: Optical Ground Station Networks (ground-based high-bandwidth networks for defense, industrial, and critical infrastructure environments) and Satellite Network Terminals (compact optical terminals for satellite-to-satellite and satellite-to-ground links).
The company is led by CEO Jordan Wachs, COO Weston Marlow, and Head of Growth Joe Rieser, with co-founder Prof. Kerri Cahoy serving as technical advisor and co-founder Dr. Jeremy Wertheimer as business advisor. The technical bench includes dedicated Directors of Systems and Electrical Engineering, a Senior Scientist, and a Principal Embedded Systems Engineer, totaling roughly 10 personnel. SpaceRake pursues a direct enterprise/government sales motion, evidenced by logo-level relationships with US Space Force, USSF SpaceWERX, USAF AFWERX, US Central Command, and the National Science Foundation, and a technology partnership strategy exemplified by a May 2026 MOU with Rajant Corporation to integrate lasercom with Rajant's Kinetic Mesh wireless networks. The revenue model centers on hardware sales of optical communication terminals and systems, supplemented by integration and partnership services, with contract-based government procurement as the dominant channel; no public pricing is disclosed.
SpaceRake firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- SpaceRake
- Legal name
- SpaceRake, Inc.
- Website
- https://spacerake.net
- Company type
- Private
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- SpaceRake is a Watertown, MA-based laser communications company developing small form factor Free Space Optical (FSO) systems and optical ground station networks to connect autonomous platforms across defense, space, industrial IoT, and critical infrastructure markets.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
SpaceRake industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Optical Communication Systems
- NAICS
- Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing (336414), Satellite Telecommunications (5174), Satellite Telecommunications (51741)
- SIC
- Guided Missiles & Space Vehicles & Parts (3760), Computer Communications Equipment (3576)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Space Payloads & Instruments (Sensors, Comms, EO/IR) (IMABACAD)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Satellite Broadband Terminals & Gateways (VSAT/LEO CPE) (HDAFAIAM), Military Space Systems (Defense Spacecraft) (IMABACAC), Satellite, GNSS & Positioning RF ICs (HDAHAMAJ)
Keywords
Where SpaceRake is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Cambridge
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
SpaceRake business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Laser Communication Hardware and Systems: Sale of optical communication terminals and network equipment for defense, industrial IoT, and space applications. Multi-domain laser communications network capabilities sold as integrated systems for autonomous platforms.
- Technology Integration and Partnership Revenue: Integration services and technology partnerships with companies like Rajant to embed lasercom technology into existing wireless infrastructure ecosystems.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels4 records
SpaceRake product offering
Product offeringCore offering
SpaceRake develops and sells multi-domain laser communications network capabilities, using Free Space Optical (FSO) technology packaged into small form factor optical communication terminals and Optical Ground Station Networks. These systems connect satellites, drones, and autonomous platforms across terrestrial, aerial, and space domains, providing high-bandwidth, license-free connectivity that operates entirely outside the radio frequency domain.
Product overview
SpaceRake is a multi-domain laser communications company offering small form factor optical communication technology to connect autonomous systems across battlefields, ports, and space. The company's portfolio centers on two core product lines: Optical Ground Station Networks and Satellite Network Terminals. These offerings provide high-bandwidth, license-free laser communication that operates outside the radio frequency domain, complementing and extending existing radio infrastructure where RF solutions face constraints.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Optical Ground Station Networks Ground-based optical communication networks that enable high-bandwidth, interference-resistant connectivity for autonomous systems, designed for deployment across defense, industrial, and critical infrastructure environments.
- Satellite Network Terminals Small form factor optical communication terminals for satellite-to-satellite and satellite-to-ground laser communication, connecting satellites, drones, and other autonomous systems.
Quantifiable outcome
- High-bandwidth connectivity beyond RF interference and spectrum licensing constraints
Companies that use SpaceRake
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
SpaceRake technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
SpaceRake partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.
- Rajant CorporationcoreSpaceRake Inc. and Rajant Corporation signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to explore multidomain lasercom integration with Rajant's Kinetic Mesh wireless networking. The collaboration aims to combine laser and radio technologies to enable future-proof wireless networks that operate beyond RF interference and spectrum constraints. Joint hybrid radio/FSO link tests are planned to validate performance in real-world operational environments.
- US Space ForcecoreOfficial partnership with US Space Force, featured on company website with logo placement indicating strategic relationship for defense applications of laser communication technology.
- USSF SpaceWERXcorePartnership with USSF SpaceWERX, the innovation arm of the US Space Force, featured on company website indicating collaboration on space technology development.
- USAF AFWERXcorePartnership with USAF AFWERX, the Air Force's innovation program, featured on company website indicating collaboration on advanced communication technology.
- US Central CommandcorePartnership with US Central Command, featured on company website indicating strategic relationship for defense operations.
- National Science FoundationsupportingPartnership with National Science Foundation, featured on company website indicating research and development support for advanced communication technologies.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
SpaceRake competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Mynaric: Mynaric builds laser communication terminals for airborne and space platforms (CONDOR, HAWK). It is the closest publicly-traded pure-play to SpaceRake, selling FSO links into defense and commercial constellations.
- Tesat-Spacecom: Tesat is the long-standing European leader in space laser communication, with flight-proven inter-satellite links (e.g., on Sentinel, NASA LCRD). Comparable to SpaceRake in product domain, but vastly larger, Airbus-owned and more defense-anchored.
- Skyloom Global: Skyloom is an early-stage startup developing optical inter-satellite link terminals for commercial constellations, with SpaceWERX funding. Highly comparable stage and product focus to SpaceRake.
- Cailabs: French deep-tech company providing FSO and ground-station adaptive optics for free-space optical links. Comparable in enabling free-space optical technology across commercial and defense segments.
Broad incumbents
- SpaceX Starlink: Starlink operates inter-satellite laser links across its constellation — by far the largest deployed FSO network in orbit. Functions as both incumbent and benchmark for space-grade laser crosslink reliability.
- CACI International: CACI designs and builds optical communication payloads and ground systems (formerly LGS/Photron line) for DoD and intelligence customers. Direct competitor in space optical comms, but inside a much broader defense-IT portfolio.
- General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems: GA-EMS develops optical communication terminals and is a major DoD prime contractor. Comparable in targeting US Space Force / CENTCOM contracts for resilient laser communications.
- Ball Aerospace: Ball Aerospace (now part of BAE Systems) builds optical terminals and hosted payloads for NASA and DoD programs. Larger, broader portfolio, but directly competes for space-lasercom awards.
- Honeywell Aerospace: Honeywell is a major supplier of space and defense communications hardware, including optical datalinks. Broad incumbent competitor for lasercom system integration contracts.
- RTX (Raytheon) Space Systems: Raytheon's space and missile-defense businesses field optical and laser communication systems for the DoD, including work tied to SDA transport layer tranches. Comparable defense customer base.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
SpaceRake social profiles
Digital presenceSpaceRake financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
SpaceRake leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles9 records
SpaceRake funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
SpaceRake 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 SpaceRake
What does SpaceRake do?
SpaceRake develops and sells multi-domain laser communications network capabilities, using Free Space Optical (FSO) technology packaged into small form factor optical communication terminals and Optical Ground Station Networks. These systems connect satellites, drones, and autonomous platforms across terrestrial, aerial, and space domains, providing high-bandwidth, license-free connectivity that operates entirely outside the radio frequency domain.
Is SpaceRake a public or private company?
SpaceRake is a private company. It is classified as unknown and is currently operating.
When was SpaceRake founded?
SpaceRake was founded in -1. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is SpaceRake based?
SpaceRake is headquartered in Cambridge, United States, in the North America region.
How does SpaceRake make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Laser Communication Hardware and Systems are the primary driver. The others are technology Integration and Partnership Revenue.
Who are SpaceRake's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Mynaric, Tesat-Spacecom, Skyloom Global and Cailabs. Broad incumbents are SpaceX Starlink, CACI International, General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems, Ball Aerospace, Honeywell Aerospace and RTX (Raytheon) Space Systems.
Does SpaceRake have an API?
No public API is recorded for SpaceRake.
What industry is SpaceRake in?
SpaceRake's product category is Optical Communication Systems. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMABACAD, Space Payloads & Instruments (Sensors, Comms, EO/IR), with a secondary code of HDAFAIAM, Satellite Broadband Terminals & Gateways (VSAT/LEO CPE). Its NAICS code is 336414 and its SIC code is 3760.