Sodern

What Sodern does

Sodern is a French equipment manufacturer specializing in space optronics and neutron technology, operating since 1962 as a wholly-owned subsidiary of ArianeGroup (the Airbus/Safran joint venture). The company designs and produces high-precision attitude sensors and cameras for satellites — including the Auriga compact star tracker (now in orbit on more than 2,000 spacecraft with a 100% mission success rate), the high-performance Hydra and Horus trackers, the Auricam space situational awareness camera, navigation cameras for deep-space missions (ESA JUICE, NASA/ESA Mars Sample Return), and the Astradia daytime star tracker for GNSS-denied aircraft. In parallel, Sodern runs a neutron technology division built around proprietary PFTNA (Pulsed Fast and Thermal Neutron Activation) systems, supplying on-line CNA elemental analyzers to cement, mining, steel, and coal operators across 40+ countries, FastGrade downhole probes for mining, and Sodilog/TN36 neutron tubes and generators used in oil logging, nuclear waste monitoring, and material analysis.

Sodern generates revenue primarily through direct enterprise sales of engineered, quote-based hardware to space agencies (NASA, ESA, CNES, JAXA), satellite manufacturers and operators (Airbus Defence and Space, Eutelsat OneWeb, Thales Alenia Space, Firefly Aerospace, Dhruva Space, Honeywell), and defense ministries (French MoD, UK Armed Forces), with multi-year anchor contracts and a 100% mission success track record that underpins customer loyalty. Approximately 30% of business comes from U.S. customers, prompting the January 2026 launch of Sodern America in Englewood, Colorado — a 1,300 m² production and demonstration facility for Auriga assembly and Hydra testing. CNA analyzers are additionally distributed through a partnership with Malvern Panalytical. The company employs more than 450 people (60% engineers) at its Limeil-Brévannes headquarters and is led by Chairman and CEO Vincent Dedieu, with former Spaceflight Inc. and ULA executive Tiphaine Louradour heading the U.S. subsidiary. Certification portfolio includes ISO 9001, EN 9100, and CNES ASF n°14-82.

Name

Sodern

Legal name

Sodern SA

Website

https://sodern.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1962

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Sodern is a French subsidiary of ArianeGroup that designs and manufactures star trackers, space cameras, and neutron-based material analyzers for space agencies, satellite manufacturers, defense ministries, and mining/cement operators worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Space Optronics and Neutron Technology Equipment

NAICS

Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511), Other Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing (336419), Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing (336414), Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing (334516)

SIC

Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812), Guided Missiles & Space Vehicles & Parts (3760), Laboratory Analytical Instruments (3826), Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823)

akta.pro primary industry

Guidance, Navigation & Control (GNC) for Space Systems (IMABACAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Spacecraft Avionics, Flight Computers & Software (IMABACAI), Space Payloads & Instruments (Sensors, Comms, EO/IR) (IMABACAD), Satellite Broadband Terminals & Gateways (VSAT/LEO CPE) (HDAFAIAM)

Keywords

• Star tracker manufacturing
• Space optronics systems
• Neutron analysis technology
• Satellite attitude control
• GNSS-denied navigation

Headquarters

HQ city

Limeil-brévannes

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Space Optronics Equipment: Sodern generates revenue primarily through the sale of high-precision space equipment including star trackers (Auriga, Hydra, Horus), space cameras (Auricam, Navigation cameras), and daytime star trackers (Astradia). Equipment is sold directly to satellite manufacturers, space agencies, and defense organizations. Pricing is quote-based for custom configurations.
2. Neutron Technology Systems: Revenue from neutron generators, neutron tubes, and material analysis systems (CNA analyzers, FastGrade probes) for mining, cement, oil and gas, and nuclear waste monitoring applications. Systems available through direct sales and partner Malvern Panalytical for CNA products.
3. U.S. Market Production: Sodern America established in Colorado to produce Auriga star trackers for the U.S. market. U.S. customers account for 30% of business. Local production enables faster delivery and compliance with U.S. customer requirements.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Sodern designs, manufactures, and sells high-precision space optronics equipment — including star trackers (Auriga, Hydra, Horus), space cameras (Auricam, Navigation Cameras), and the Astradia daytime star tracker — along with neutron technology systems for material analysis (CNA on-line analyzers, FastGrade mining probes, neutron tubes and generators). Its products serve satellite manufacturers, space agencies, defense ministries, and industrial operators in cement, mining, and steel, enabling satellite attitude determination, GNSS-denied navigation, and real-time elemental composition analysis.

Product overview

Sodern is a French high-tech equipment manufacturer offering a portfolio of optronic and neutron technology products for space, defense, and industrial applications. The core space optronics portfolio includes three star tracker lines: Auriga (compact, off-the-shelf for small satellites/NewSpace), Hydra (robust, modular for high-end missions), and Horus (single-box design for telecommunications). Astradia is a daytime star tracker for aircraft GNSS-denied navigation. Space cameras include Auricam (multi-purpose cameras for SSA, IOS, navigation) and Navigation Cameras (scientific cameras for JUICE and MSR missions). The neutron technology division offers CNA on-line elemental analyzers using PFTNA technology for cement, mining, and steel applications; FastGrade downhole probes for mining; and neutron tubes/generators (Sodilog series, TN36, Genie 35, Song150) for oil logging, nuclear waste monitoring, and material analysis. The company also manufactures focal planes for French military Earth observation satellites. Products share common technological foundations in precision optics, radiation-hardened electronics, and neutron activation analysis.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Auriga Star Tracker Compact, off-the-shelf star tracker optimized for small satellites under 500kg and New Space projects from 6U upward. Features radiation-resistant design with 35 krad tolerance, automotive-grade components upscreened for reliability, and proprietary image pre-processing algorithms to compensate for proton-induced displacement damage. Offers 100% mission success rate with 1,250+ satellites equipped and 30+ million flight hours. Designed for satellite manufacturers, constellation operators, and New Space companies.
• Hydra Star Tracker High-performance, modular star tracker deployed on major institutional and scientific missions. Features exceptional quality and resilience with acquisition time under 2 seconds and attitude retrieval accuracy of approximately 1 arcsec. Available in multiple versions for LEO to deep space applications, including a radiation-hardened variant used on NASA Europa Clipper Jupiter mission. Targeted at space agencies, satellite prime contractors, and scientific mission operators.
• Hydra Access Standardized, simplified version of Hydra-CP. Off-the-shelf high-performance star tracker with rapid delivery at affordable price, featuring level 1 EEE components with 12 units permanently in stock. Designed for NewSpace companies and budget-constrained missions requiring Hydra-class performance with short lead times.
• Horus Star Tracker Autonomous single-box star tracker leveraging innovative technologies for high performance and competitiveness in single field of view applications. Weighs 1.6kg with 24-degree Sun Exclusion Angle baffle. Selected for telecommunications platforms by leading satellite manufacturers including Airbus Defence and Space under multi-year agreement.
• Astradia Daytime Star Tracker Daytime star tracker for GNSS-denied navigation, designed for civil and military aircraft and ground vehicles. Compact size (176mm x 185mm x 207mm), weighs less than 3kg. Provides attitude measurements day and night when combined with inertial navigation system. Immune to jamming/spoofing, emits no waves for stealth operations. Tracking accuracy to within a few arc-seconds (approximately 1 meter at 70 km distance). Targeted at military aviation, civil aviation, drones, and naval applications.
• Auricam Space Camera Multi-purpose space camera for space situational awareness (SSA), space domain awareness (SDA), in-orbit servicing (IOS), navigation and monitoring. Lifespan up to 15 years in GEO. Features 4-million-pixel CMOS sensor detecting debris/satellites up to magnitudes 6 to 8. Two models: D35 (35° FOV, 420g) and D80 (80° FOV, 450g). Targeted at space agencies, satellite operators, and in-orbit servicing providers.
• Navigation Cameras Scientific cameras designed for specialized missions including ESA JUICE (Jupiter navigation) and NASA/ESA Mars Sample Return Earth Return Orbiter. Designed for all orbits including complex radiation environments. Captures images against stellar background for guidance and precision control. Targeted at space agencies conducting deep space and planetary exploration missions.
• CNA Cross-Belt Analyzers On-line elemental analyzers using unique PFTNA (Pulsed Fast and Thermal Neutron Activation) technology providing real-time elemental analysis for cement, mining, steel, and coal applications. Over 250 CNAs operate in more than 40 countries. Available in CNA PENTOS (modular for 600-1400mm conveyor belts) and CNA3 (ultra-compact for high-speed mining conveyor belts) variants. Distributed through partner Malvern Panalytical.
• FastGrade Mining Probe Geochemical logging tool for mining using PFTNA analysis. Provides quasi real-time analysis replacing costly conventional drilling and diamond core sampling operations. Results available in hours versus 1 month with conventional methods. Deployed on semi-autonomous trucks for blast hole measurement. Targeted at mining operators seeking cost-efficient grade control and resource estimation.
• Neutron Tubes Neutron tubes including Sodilog LL (>13,000 hours lifetime, 5x10^7 n/s), Sodilog (1.2x10^8 n/s), Sodilog Plus (1.5x10^8 n/s), Sodilog NG (4x10^8 n/s), and TN36 (2x10^9 to 1x10^10 n/s, 400-1500 hours). Used in material analysis, oil logging, and nuclear waste monitoring applications. Over 100 tubes produced annually, deployed in 40+ countries. Targeted at industrial operators, oil and gas service companies, and nuclear waste monitoring programs.
• Neutron Generators High-flux autonomous neutron generators including Genie 35 (equipped with TN36 D-T tube at 14 MeV or D-D tube at 2.5 MeV) and Song150 (built-in neutron emitting module for pulsed neutron logging, 14 MeV sealed tube, 150°C operation). Targeted at oil and gas logging service companies, nuclear waste monitoring, and research applications.
• Focal Planes Core imaging components (focal planes) for France's Earth observation satellites from SPOT to CSO (Composante Spatiale Optique) military satellites. Delivers very high resolution for optical imaging intelligence satellites. Targeted at French Ministry for the Armed Forces and CNES for national security and sovereignty Earth observation programs.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% mission success rate across 2,000+ star trackers in orbit
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers14 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature9 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• EutelsatcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 April 2026EU SST partnership with Sodern and ArianeGroup to develop opportunistic Space Situational Awareness (SSA) system. Eutelsat's OneWeb constellation will enable real in-orbit data acquisition using existing star tracker technology to detect nearby objects without additional hardware.
• Douglas County Economic Development CorporationsupportingOthers · 26 February 2026Provided incentives for Sodern America establishment including business personal property tax relief and job creation retention incentives. Colorado Economic Development Commission approved over $100,000 in job growth tax credits to support the facility.
• Elles BougentsupportingOthers · 26 January 2026Partnership with French association to encourage young girls to pursue careers in scientific, technical, and industrial fields. Partnership aligns with Sodern's commitment to professional equality, gender diversity, and fighting stereotypes in the aerospace industry.
• ArianeGroupcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 January 2026ArianeGroup is the parent company and majority shareholder of Sodern. Sodern America is wholly owned by ArianeGroup. The partnership provides access to ArianeGroup's broad network of international aerospace, aeronautics and defense companies. Sodern operates as a subsidiary leveraging the parent's expertise and market access.
• Malvern PanalyticalcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2024Partnership for CNA (Cross-Belt Analyzer) distribution. Malvern Panalytical offers Sodern's CNA product line including CNA PENTOS for cement applications and CNA³ for mining applications on their commercial platform.
• CNES (French Space Agency)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Long-standing partnership for space missions including JUICE navigation cameras, PHARAO clock development, CSO satellite focal planes. CNES supported Auricam camera development under Investment in the Future Plan (PIA). Also supports Auriga Gyro development under Pegase program.
• Airbus Defence and SpacecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Long-standing partnership for star tracker supply. Equipped entire OneWeb constellation with Auriga star trackers (1,308 units in orbit with 340 more contracted). Also HORUS star tracker multi-year agreement. Collaboration on telecommunications satellites and Eutelsat OneWeb deployment.
• Safran GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016Partnership with Safran (European leader in inertial navigation units) to design daytime star trackers for military aircraft. Combined star tracker and inertial navigation unit solution for positioning independent of satellite data in GNSS-denied environments.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Rocket Lab: US launch and space systems company with growing space hardware business including solar arrays, reaction wheels, and star trackers through its Sinclair Interplanetary and SolAero acquisitions. Emerging competitor in the broader NewSpace hardware stack.

Broad incumbents

• Beyond Gravity (formerly RUAG Space): Swiss-owned supplier of satellite structures, mechanisms, and payload subsystems. Comparable mid-sized European space hardware specialist with diversified product portfolio similar to Sodern's space optronics plus neutron technology structure.
• Honeywell Aerospace: Major US aerospace prime with a star tracker and space sensor portfolio serving both commercial constellations and US defense programs. Listed by Sodern as a customer relationship but also competes for high-end attitude determination systems in US markets.
• OHB System: German satellite prime and subsystem manufacturer with overlapping space hardware capabilities. Comparable European mid-cap with both spacecraft integration and component supply, sharing ESA and German defense customer relationships.
• Leonardo Space Division: Italian aerospace group producing star trackers, attitude sensors, and space electronics for ESA and Italian defense programs. Direct overlap with Sodern's Hydra/Horus product family and shared customer base across European institutional missions.

Direct peers

• AAC Clyde Space: Swedish smallsat star tracker and attitude determination specialist competing with Sodern's Auriga in the NewSpace and cubesat segments. Comparable product positioning for constellation-class missions with growing flight heritage.
• Ball Aerospace: US-based supplier of star trackers, space cameras, and spacecraft subsystems including the CT-2020 star tracker. Now operating under BAE Systems, it competes directly with Sodern's space optronics portfolio across US defense and civil missions.
• Bradford Space: US-based (formerly Dutch) supplier of attitude control systems and star trackers for small satellite platforms. Comparable product portfolio targeting commercial constellations and smallsat primes competing with Sodern's Auriga line.
• Jena-Optronik: German manufacturer of star trackers and space sensors for ESA and commercial satellite programs. The closest direct competitor to Sodern's Hydra and Auriga product lines, with overlapping customer base at Airbus Defence and Space and the European Space Agency.

Regional players

• Tesat-Spacecom: German satellite communication payload manufacturer (Airbus subsidiary) supplying equipment to European and international satellite operators. Comparable European aerospace hardware specialist with deep institutional relationships though focused on communication payloads rather than GNC sensors.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Sodern