Leostella
Leostella is a Tukwila, Washington-based satellite design and manufacturer founded in 2018 that builds small-satellite buses, propulsion systems, and earth observation constellation components, primarily supplying BlackSky's Gen-3 real-time intelligence constellation for defense and intelligence customers.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2018
- HeadquartersTukwila, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Leostella does
LeoStella is a satellite design and manufacturing company headquartered in Tukwila, Washington, founded in 2018 and operating as a private, for-profit entity with 11-50 employees. The company builds small-satellite buses, propulsion systems, and earth observation constellation components. Its production output is visibly directed at BlackSky's Gen-3 real-time intelligence constellation, which serves defense, intelligence, and global security customers with AI-enhanced tactical ISR.
Leostella firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Leostella
- Website
- https://leostella.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2018
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Leostella is a Tukwila, Washington-based satellite design and manufacturer founded in 2018 that builds small-satellite buses, propulsion systems, and earth observation constellation components, primarily supplying BlackSky's Gen-3 real-time intelligence constellation for defense and intelligence customers.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Leostella industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Satellite Manufacturing
- NAICS
- Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing (336414)
- SIC
- Guided Missiles & Space Vehicles & Parts (3760)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Spacecraft & Satellites (Civil/Commercial) (IMABACAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Space Payloads & Instruments (Sensors, Comms, EO/IR) (IMABACAD), Spacecraft Propulsion (In-Space) & Thrusters (IMABACAE)
Keywords
Where Leostella is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Tukwila
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Markets served
Leostella business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Leostella product offering
Product offeringCore offering
LeoStella is a satellite design and manufacturing company that develops propulsion systems and earth observation constellation components. The company produces satellites and related subsystems for commercial and government space customers.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Earth observation satellites Designed and manufactured satellites for earth observation constellations, intended for commercial satellite operators and government defense/intelligence customers.
- Satellite propulsion systems Propulsion systems developed for satellites, supporting orbital maneuvering and constellation deployment for commercial and government space customers.
- Earth observation constellation components Components and subsystems produced for earth observation satellite constellations, supporting commercial and government intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance programs.
Companies that use Leostella
Customer profileIdeal customer profiles1 record
Leostella technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Leostella partnerships and signals
Strategic signalRecent moves4 records
Expansion highlights3 records
Leostella competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- Astro Digital: Astro Digital designs and operates small satellite constellations for Earth observation, with in-house manufacturing capabilities. Comparable as a smaller EO-focused smallsat developer that occasionally partners on bus manufacturing for third-party constellations.
- Swissto12: Swissto12 manufactures RF payload systems and smallsat hardware, including 3D-printed RF products and propulsion-adjacent components. Comparable as an emerging component supplier targeting EO and communications smallsat integrators.
- Momentus: Momentus is an in-space transportation and propulsion company developing orbital transfer vehicles and thrusters for smallsats. It is a partial competitor to LeoStella's propulsion product line, particularly for last-mile delivery and station-keeping on EO constellations.
Broad incumbents
- Lockheed Martin Space: Lockheed Martin Space is a major space systems prime producing satellites, buses, and propulsion for government and commercial customers. While operating at vastly greater scale, it competes for the same EO and constellation bus contracts that LeoStella targets at the smallsat end.
- Maxar Technologies: Maxar builds large GEO communications and EO satellites plus smaller spacecraft platforms. Its spacecraft manufacturing and propulsion subsidiaries (e.g., MDA) compete broadly with LeoStella for propulsion and bus work across commercial and defense markets.
- Northrop Grumman Space Systems: Northrop Grumman manufactures spacecraft, propulsion systems (including in-space), and bus structures for civil, commercial, and defense missions. Overlaps with LeoStella in propulsion and spacecraft subsystems, particularly through legacy Orbital/ATK product lines.
Direct peers
- Rocket Lab (Spacecraft business): Rocket Lab's Spacecraft business (formerly Sinclair Interplanetary, SolAero integration) designs and manufactures spacecraft buses and components for LEO constellations. It competes with LeoStella for EO and communication constellation build contracts and offers vertically integrated solar/payload solutions.
- Blue Canyon Technologies: Blue Canyon Technologies (a Raytheon subsidiary) produces smallsat buses, attitude control systems, and reaction wheels for EO and science missions. Closely comparable to LeoStella in producing complete satellite platforms and ADCS/propulsion hardware for constellations.
- York Space Systems: York Space Systems is a Denver-based smallsat manufacturer producing standardized satellite buses and full spacecraft for commercial and government constellation customers. It is the closest direct competitor to LeoStella in terms of business model, scale, and target customer segment.
- Terran Orbital: Terran Orbital designs and manufactures small satellites and provides mission services for commercial, civil, and defense customers. Comparable to LeoStella as a vertically integrated smallsat OEM with both bus and propulsion/avionics capabilities.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights4 records
Customer concentration
Leostella financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Leostella leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Leostella funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Leostella 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 Leostella
What does Leostella do?
LeoStella is a satellite design and manufacturing company that develops propulsion systems and earth observation constellation components. The company produces satellites and related subsystems for commercial and government space customers.
Is Leostella a public or private company?
Leostella is a private company. It is classified as unknown and is currently operating.
When was Leostella founded?
Leostella was founded in 2018. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Leostella based?
Leostella is headquartered in Tukwila, United States, in the North America region.
Who are Leostella's main competitors?
Emerging players on record are Astro Digital, Swissto12 and Momentus. Broad incumbents are Lockheed Martin Space, Maxar Technologies and Northrop Grumman Space Systems. Direct peers are Rocket Lab (Spacecraft business), Blue Canyon Technologies, York Space Systems and Terran Orbital.
Does Leostella have an API?
No public API is recorded for Leostella.
What industry is Leostella in?
Leostella's product category is Satellite Manufacturing. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMABACAB, Spacecraft & Satellites (Civil/Commercial), with a secondary code of IMABACAD, Space Payloads & Instruments (Sensors, Comms, EO/IR). Its NAICS code is 336414 and its SIC code is 3760.