Hemeria

What Hemeria does

Hemeria is a French privately-held aerospace and defense company headquartered in Toulouse, operating across two business divisions: Space Industry and Defense and Security. Founded in July 2019 from the former space activities of NEXEYA to refocus on sovereign capabilities, the company serves French and European government institutions (CNES, DGA, French Ministry of Armed Forces, Frontex) and major space prime contractors (Thales Alenia Space, Airbus, ArianeGroup, KINEIS). It employs approximately 400 staff across five industrial sites in France and generates roughly €70 million in annual revenue, with the FCDE sovereign-aligned fund in exclusive negotiations to become majority shareholder as of late 2025.

Hemeria designs, manufactures and integrates nano/microsatellite platforms (HP-EOS for Earth observation, HP-IoT for IoT and technology demonstration), satellite subsystems (harnesses, composite structures, MLI thermal blankets, solar arrays), and stratospheric balloons — including open, pressurized, and the maneuvering BalMan platform that completed its first stratospheric test from the Guiana Space Centre in October 2024. In Defense, the company produces electro-optical trajectory tracking systems (HYPERIA VT, HYPERION Multi-Sensor EOTS), tethered aerostats (Jackdaw, Eagle Owl, Condor) for persistent surveillance, diridrone airships for infrastructure inspection, power conversion and battery maintenance systems, and through-life support services for French military radars and navigation aids. Manufacturing infrastructure includes 4,000 sq-m of satellite clean rooms at Toulouse and five aerostat production lines at Ayguesvives that are described as unique in Europe.

Revenue is generated primarily through project-based B2G and B2B contracts ranging from development programs to long-term production agreements and through-life support engagements of up to 10+ years (e.g., the VASSCO contract covering 700+ defense equipment items). Go-to-market is enterprise field sales — including dedicated Heads of Business Development for Space & Sky and Land & Sea divisions — supported by participation in Eurosatory, the Paris Air Show and the SmallSat Conference. Notable contract wins include 25 satellites for the KINEIS IoT constellation, 21 Multi-Sensor EOTS units for DGA, 81 IRIDIUM NEXT satellites for Thales Alenia Space (>€20M), 20+ satellites for the PROMETHEE JAPETUS Earth observation constellation, and a 4.5-year framework with CNES for approximately 90 stratospheric balloons. The company has expanded its scope via the 2022 acquisition of CNIM Air Space (now HEMERIA AIRSHIP), the 2024 acquisition of OPENSCI (now HEMERIA SENSING), and the 2024 ONERA joint venture HEMERIA SURVEILLANCE, building an Intelligence & Data division at the intersection of Space and Defense.

Name

Hemeria

Legal name

HEMERIA SASU

Website

https://hemeria-group.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Hemeria is a French privately-held aerospace and defense company that designs nano/microsatellites, satellite subsystems, stratospheric balloons, captive aerostats, electro-optical tracking systems, and defense electronics through-life support. It serves French and European government agencies and space prime contractors from five industrial sites.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Aerospace and Defense Manufacturing

NAICS

Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing (336414), Other Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing (336419), Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511)

SIC

Guided Missiles & Space Vehicles & Parts (3760), Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812)

akta.pro primary industry

Space Structures, Mechanisms & Thermal Control (IMABACAF)

akta.pro secondary industry

Space Payloads & Instruments (Sensors, Comms, EO/IR) (IMABACAD)

Keywords

• Space systems manufacturing
• Small satellite platforms
• Stratospheric balloons
• Defense electronics
• Aerostat surveillance systems

Headquarters

HQ city

Toulouse

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Space Systems and Equipment: Hemeria designs, manufactures, and integrates space subsystems including composite structures, harnesses, MLI thermal blankets, solar arrays, and nano/microsatellite platforms for commercial and institutional customers. Revenue is generated through project-based contracts with prime contractors (Thales Alenia Space, Airbus, KINEIS, CNES) and through long-term production agreements.
2. Defense Systems and Equipment: Hemeria provides electro-optical tracking systems, tethered aerostats, trajectory measurement radars, electronic systems through-life support, power conversion solutions, and navigation aids to the French DGA, Ministry of Armed Forces, and international defense customers. Revenue comes from long-term contracts (up to 10+ years) for development, supply, and through-life support.
3. Stratospheric Balloons and Aerostats: Hemeria manufactures open and pressurized stratospheric balloons for CNES scientific campaigns and captive aerostats for defense and security applications. Includes the BalMan maneuvering balloon project moving toward commercialization. Revenue is project and contract-based.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Hemeria designs, manufactures, and integrates nano and microsatellites, stratospheric balloons, satellite subsystems (harnesses, composite structures, MLI thermal blankets, solar arrays), and defense electronics for government space and defense agencies as well as aerospace prime contractors. The company also delivers lighter-than-air systems (stratospheric balloons, tethered aerostats, airships, diridrones) and provides long-term through-life support, maintenance, and modernization of complex defense electronic systems.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• HEMERIA AIRSHIP: Subsidiary focused on lighter than air technologies including stratospheric balloons, tethered aerostats, and airships
• HEMERIA SURVEILLANCE
• HEMERIA SENSING
• HEMERIA SERVICES

Products and services

• SPECTRA-L40 Nano Satellite Platform A nano/microsatellite platform from Hemeria's smallsat platform product family, designed and produced for institutional, commercial and scientific customers.
• SPRINT-L60 Nano Satellite Platform A nano/microsatellite platform from Hemeria's smallsat platform product family for institutional, commercial and scientific missions.
• SPARTA-G70 Nano Satellite Platform A nano/microsatellite platform from Hemeria's smallsat platform product family.
• Open Stratospheric Balloons Open stratospheric balloons produced by Hemeria for CNES scientific campaigns such as Stratéole-2. Approximately 50 balloons are produced under the framework agreement with CNES.
• Pressurized Stratospheric Balloons Pressurized stratospheric balloons produced by Hemeria for CNES scientific campaigns. Approximately 40 pressurized balloons are produced under the framework agreement with CNES.
• BalMan Maneuvering Stratospheric Balloon Pressurized stratospheric balloon capable of maneuvering autonomously at 18-20 km altitudes for missions lasting several months. Developed with CNES and DGA under France Relance for persistent high-altitude observation, communications and electronic warfare applications.
• Satellite Electrical Harnesses Electrical harnesses designed and produced for satellites and launchers, including for ARIANE 5 Vehicle Equipment Bays (since late 1980s), IRIDIUM NEXT (81 satellites), REDWIRE SPACE Staark robotic arm, and other space programs.
• Satellite Composite Structures Composite structures (sandwich and aluminum) for satellites, including 360 composite panels for IRIDIUM NEXT and aluminum composite structures for Thales Alenia Space SPACE INSPIRE telecom satellites under a 2022-2030 partnership.
• MLI Multi-Layer Insulation (Betacloth) Multi-layer insulation thermal blankets (Betacloth) designed and built for the Arrow smallsat platform used in the OneWeb constellation (Airbus OneWeb Satellites).
• Zero-Gravity Balloons Zero-gravity balloons produced by Hemeria as part of its stratospheric/zero-gravity product family for scientific and parabolic flight applications.
• Solar Generators Solar generators (solar arrays) produced by Hemeria for satellites, including solar arrays supplied to the KINEIS IoT constellation and the MMX Rover mission to Phobos.
• Assembly, Integration and Testing (AIT) Services Assembly, integration and testing services for satellites and space subsystems performed in Hemeria's 4,000 sq-m of clean rooms at the Toulouse headquarters.
• Space Systems Design Design services for space systems (satellites, subsystems, payloads) provided by Hemeria to institutional and commercial customers.
• SSA LEO Data and Services via Radar Technology Space Situational Awareness data and services in Low Earth Orbit delivered via radar technology, including surveillance of launches and in-orbit maneuvers, provided by HEMERIA SURVEILLANCE (JV with ONERA).
• Space Launch and In-Orbit Maneuver Surveillance Services Detection and characterization of space launches and in-orbit maneuvers, provided by HEMERIA SENSING (formerly OPENSCI), operating at the intersection of Space and Defense markets for sovereign state interests.
• HYPERIA VT Multi-Target Video Tracker (Ecartomètre) High-performance electro-optical tracking system with multi-target video tracker capability for trajectory measurement, developed by Hemeria for DGA flight test centers. Uses servo systems, data fusion, and real-time video processing on GPU, SOC and multiprocessor architectures.
• HYPERION Multi-Sensor Electro-Optical Targeting Turrets Multi-sensor Electro-Optical Targeting System (HYPERION TMS) integrating video, radar and multi-sensor fusion technologies. 21 systems are contracted for delivery to DGA test centers over the coming years.
• Jackdaw Tethered Aerostat System New captive balloon system designed for intelligence, surveillance and telecommunications missions requiring persistence over several weeks or months. Simple, robust and competitive solution for perimeter surveillance, border monitoring and maritime surveillance.
• Eagle Owl Tethered Aerostat System Tethered aerostat system equipped with HD electro-optical/infrared cameras, maritime radar and AIS receiver for persistent maritime and border surveillance. Deployed for Frontex in Greece.
• Condor Tethered Aerostat System Tethered aerostat system in Hemeria's captive balloon product range for intelligence, surveillance and telecommunications missions.
• Diridrone Drone Airships Hybrid drone airship (Diridrone) developed by Hemeria for automated long-distance inspection of high-voltage power lines at lower cost and environmental impact than helicopter-based methods. R&D partnership with RTE.
• Through-Life Support (MCO) of Electronic Systems Through-life support (MCO) and obsolescence management services for complex defense electronic systems, including PAR-NG precision approach radars at 17 French military airbases, ILS at 21 airbases, and the VASSCO contract covering 700+ equipment items over 10 years.
• Power Converters (1-500 kVA) AC/DC, DC/DC and DC/AC power converters from 1-500 kVA with high reliability, availability and power density for severe EMC environments, compliant with military and nuclear standards.
• Variable Speed Drives Variable speed drives produced by Hemeria for military and industrial applications.
• Emergency Energy Sources Emergency energy sources (backup power systems) for military, nuclear and industrial applications.
• Battery System Monitoring and Maintenance Benches Customized benches for battery charge/discharge and through-life support with power up to 1 MW, charging profiles adapted to battery chemistry, and integrated monitoring and safety systems.
• Navigation Aids Installation and Maintenance Services Installation and maintenance services for navigation aids at military and civil airbases, certified by DGAC/DSAC (French Civil Aviation Authority) under CNS standards.

Quantifiable outcome

• More than 300 satellites equipped with HEMERIA solutions (harnesses, structures, MLI, solar arrays)
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability2 records

Feature9 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, strategic, core and minor.

• Safran AIflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2026MoU signed at Eurosatory 2026 to design innovative electromagnetic intelligence and electronic warfare solutions mounted on Hemeria's stratospheric balloons, integrating Safran AI's artificial intelligence models for detecting, identifying, and analyzing land, air, or maritime radars and communications from very high altitude.
• ABBstrategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2025Strategic MoU at the 55th International Paris Air Show (SIAE) to develop space solutions dedicated to low Earth orbit space situational awareness. ABB and HEMERIA will integrate ABB's payloads on HEMERIA satellite platforms to provide advanced SSA capabilities.
• ONERA (Office National d'Etudes et de Recherches Aérospatiales)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2024Joint participation in ASTAREON capital increase where HEMERIA INVEST provides development funding and ONERA transfers SSA (Space Situational Awareness) technologies. ASTAREON renamed HEMERIA SURVEILLANCE, owned 70% by HEMERIA and 30% by ONERA.
• OPENSCI (now HEMERIA SENSING)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2024Acquisition of OPENSCI, specialized in detection and characterization of space launches, complementing Hemeria's services within the new 'Intelligence and Data' division. Renamed HEMERIA SENSING, operating at the intersection of Space and Defense markets for sovereign state interests.
• PROMÉTHÉE Earth IntelligenceflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2023PROMETHEE selected HEMERIA to supply the first satellite and 20 additional satellites for the JAPETUS Earth observation constellation, based on the HP-EOS platform (~50 kg) with high-resolution multispectral cameras from Safran. PROMÉTHÉE will become the first European operator providing real-time, highly responsive Earth observation data and services.
• Flying WhalesstrategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2023Flying Whales selected HEMERIA AIRSHIP to study and produce helium gas cells for LCA60T airships. HEMERIA AIRSHIP will supply 14 cells for the first LCA60T and is investing in a new dedicated factory in Ayguesvives for long-term partnership.
• LatitudeminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2023Letter of Intent signed between HEMERIA and Latitude to support the development of complete space solutions around the Zephyr launcher (100 kg payload to LEO). HEMERIA's small satellites can be accommodated in the Zephyr fairing, complementing Latitude's launcher.
• CNIM Air Space (now HEMERIA AIRSHIP)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2022Acquisition of CNIM Air Space, European leader in stratospheric, tethered and maneuvering aerostats, renamed HEMERIA AIRSHIP. DEFINEVEST sovereign fund retains 15% of capital. Specializes in helium-inflated aerostats including balloons, airships, and diridrones with unique European industrial capabilities.
• Thales Alenia SpaceflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Long-term partnership (2022-2030) to industrialize and mass-produce aluminum composite structures for SPACE INSPIRE innovative telecommunications satellites. Continuation of collaboration from IRIDIUM NEXT, Globalstar 2, O3B, and KINEIS constellation programs. Supported by CNES through PIA.
• CNESflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing partner since 1971 for stratospheric balloons; co-developer of BalMan maneuvering stratospheric balloon (France Relance, DGA, Ministry of Armed Forces); ANGELS first French industrial smallsat (2019); YODA military smallsat demonstrator; MMX Rover solar arrays; ASTROID technology demonstrator; 4.5-year framework for ~90 CNES scientific balloons.
• DGA (Direction Générale de l'Armement)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-term defense procurement partner for over 20 years. Programs include Multi-Sensor EOTS (21 systems), trajectory radar refurbishment (18 radars), CERBERE aerial demonstrator, PAR-NG radar maintenance (17 radars), VASSCO through-life support contract (700+ equipment items over 10 years).
• Airbus OneWeb SatellitesstrategicOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerSelected by Airbus OneWeb Satellites (joint venture Airbus/OneWeb) to design and build MLI (multi-layer insulation) Betacloth for the Arrow smallsat platform used in the OneWeb constellation and Airbus U.S. Space & Defense programs.
• AstroscalestrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerSelected by Astroscale (Japan/UK) to build 21 structural panels for the ELSA-M mission spacecraft (SQM and PFM vehicles) for multi-client satellite capture and removal services.
• REDWIRE SPACEstrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerSelected by REDWIRE SPACE (US/Luxembourg) to design, develop, build, integrate, and test harnesses for the Staark LEO-S10 robotic arm for space debris handling and satellite servicing in LEO and MEO orbits.
• Bertin TechnologiesstrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic collaboration with Bertin Technologies and PROMETHEE Earth Intelligence for a complete sovereign Earth observation offering based on Hemeria's HP-EOS satellite range equipped with the SPEO optical payload developed by Bertin Technologies, to be operated in the PROMETHEE very-high-rate constellation.
• FrontexstrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerSelected with German partner in-innovative navigation GmbH by Frontex in 2021 for an innovative pilot project deploying two maritime surveillance aerostat systems (Eagle Owl tethered aerostats with HD EO/IR, maritime radar, AIS) in Greece for border monitoring.
• RTE (Réseau de Transport d'Electricité)strategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerR&D partnership with RTE to develop Diridrone drone airship for automated inspection of high-voltage power lines over long distances at lower cost and environmental impact.
• ArianeGroupstrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerDesign and manufacture of space harnesses for the VEB (Vehicle Equipment Bay) of all ARIANE 5 launchers since the end of the 1980s.
• Thales Alenia Space (Space Situational Awareness)strategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on STRATOBUS program since 2015 — Hemeria designs and manufactures envelopes for the stratospheric airship (HAPS family) being developed by Thales Alenia Space.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights8 records

Direct peers

• Astrocast: Astrocast operates a nanosatellite IoT constellation, directly competing with KINEIS (a Hemeria customer) and targeting similar low-data-rate IoT connectivity use cases. Closely comparable in constellation architecture, miniaturization focus, and target customer segments.
• OHB SE: OHB is a European mid-cap space prime that designs and manufactures small/medium satellites, constellations, and space structures for institutional and commercial customers. Highly comparable to Hemeria in customer profile (ESA, national space agencies, defense) and smallsat platform offerings, though significantly larger in scale.
• Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL): SSTL designs and manufactures low-cost smallsat platforms and constellation satellites for Earth observation, communications, and technology demonstration missions. Directly comparable to Hemeria's HP-EOS and HP-IoT platforms, with similar institutional customer mix (ESA, national agencies, commercial operators).

Emerging players

• ICEYE: ICEYE operates a commercial SAR smallsat constellation for Earth observation, competing for the same sovereign and commercial EO budgets that drive Hemeria's HP-EOS platform and PROMETHEE's JAPETUS constellation. Comparable in smallsat EO mission profile, though focused on SAR rather than multispectral.
• D-Orbit: D-Orbit provides in-orbit transportation and satellite servicing via orbital transfer vehicles, overlapping with Hemeria's space mobility roadmap and adjacent to its satellite platform and SSA businesses. Both target institutional and commercial constellation operators.

Broad incumbents

• Thales Alenia Space: Thales Alenia Space is a major European space prime — both a Hemeria customer (SPACE INSPIRE composite structures 2022-2030, IRIDIUM NEXT, STRATOBUS) and a competitor for large institutional satellite programs. Overlapping across telecom satellites, EO, exploration, and stratospheric platforms.
• Planet Labs: Planet Labs operates one of the world's largest commercial Earth observation constellations, comparable to PROMETHEE's JAPETUS ambition (powered by Hemeria's HP-EOS). Both target responsive, high-revisit EO data services for institutional and commercial customers.
• Airbus Defence and Space: Airbus Defence and Space is a major European space prime; Hemeria supplies MLI for the Arrow/OneWeb platform. Overlapping in smallsat platforms (Sparrow/Arrow), telecom constellations, and defense procurement. Acts as both customer and competitor for institutional programs.
• Thales: Thales is a major European defense and aerospace electronics prime, overlapping with Hemeria's defense electronics business (electro-optical targeting, navigation aids, power conversion for military/nuclear platforms) and supplying the broader institutional customer base Hemeria addresses.
• HENSOLDT: HENSOLDT is a European defense electronics and sensor house (radar, EW, optronics). Comparable to Hemeria's defense side (HYPERIA VT, HYPERION EOTS, trajectory radars, PAR-NG MCO) — both serve DGA and other European defense customers with sovereign sensor and electronics solutions.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hemeria-company
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• Facebookfacebook.com/hemeriaofficiel

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A2 records

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Hemeria