Bradford Space
Bradford Space is a privately held space hardware manufacturer that designs and builds propulsion systems and reaction wheels for spacecraft attitude control and deep space missions, serving satellite integrators and aerospace customers from facilities in the Netherlands and Luxembourg.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1984
- HeadquartersNew York, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Bradford Space does
Bradford Space is a privately held space technology company specializing in in-space propulsion systems and attitude control hardware for spacecraft. The company designs and manufactures the Comet Propulsion System, which incorporates 3D-printed brackets for deep space applications, and produces reaction wheels used for satellite attitude determination and control. The company traces its origin to 1984 and adopted its current brand after acquiring Deep Space Industries in January 2019. Operational headquarters sit in Heerle, Netherlands, with engineering and manufacturing operations in Belvaux, Luxembourg, and a corporate address in New York.
The company's core technology centers on chemical or electric propulsion units and reaction wheel attitude control systems used for deep space missions, orbital maneuvering, and spacecraft pointing. Bradford Space holds ISO and AS9100 quality certification (valid 2024-2027), positioning it as a flight-qualified supplier to aerospace primes and satellite integrators. It is independently recognized as one of the top five companies in the global reaction wheel industry sector, alongside Northrop Grumman, Rocket Lab USA, AAC Clyde Space, and New Space Systems.
Bradford Space's revenue model is built on direct sales of flight hardware (propulsion units and reaction wheels) to spacecraft manufacturers and operators, but no pricing, customer logos, or contract values are publicly disclosed. Distribution is limited: the company's public presence consists of a corporate website and a LinkedIn page, with no documented reseller or digital sales channel. With 51-100 employees globally and a small Luxembourg team being expanded to approximately 10 people, Bradford Space operates as a niche, engineering-led supplier within the broader space hardware market, relying on aerospace brand reputation and industry participation rather than broad commercial marketing.
Bradford Space firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Bradford Space
- Legal name
- Bradford Space
- Website
- https://bradford-space.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1984
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Bradford Space is a privately held space hardware manufacturer that designs and builds propulsion systems and reaction wheels for spacecraft attitude control and deep space missions, serving satellite integrators and aerospace customers from facilities in the Netherlands and Luxembourg.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Bradford Space industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Spacecraft Propulsion and Attitude Control Hardware
- NAICS
- Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing (336414), Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Propulsion Unit and Propulsion Unit Parts Manufacturing (336415), 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
- Spacecraft Propulsion (In-Space) & Thrusters (IMABACAE)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Spacecraft Avionics, Flight Computers & Software (IMABACAI), Space Logistics & In-Orbit Servicing (Refueling, Tug, Debris Removal) (IMABACAM)
Keywords
Where Bradford Space is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- New York
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Bradford Space business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Marketing channels1 record
Bradford Space product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Bradford Space manufactures and sells spacecraft propulsion systems and reaction wheel attitude control hardware for satellite and deep space missions. Its flagship product is the Comet Propulsion System, which uses 3D-printed brackets to reduce mass and part count. The company also supplies reaction wheels (space wheels) used by satellite integrators for attitude determination and control, serving commercial, civil, and government space customers from facilities in the Netherlands and Luxembourg.
Product overview
Bradford Space is a space technology company specializing in propulsion systems and related hardware for deep space missions. The company offers the Comet Propulsion System as its core product offering, along with associated components such as 3D-printed brackets. The company maintains operations in the Netherlands and Luxembourg, and is associated with Deep Space Industries heritage.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Comet Propulsion System
Companies that use Bradford Space
Customer profileIdeal customer profiles2 records
Bradford Space technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
Bradford Space partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators2 records
Recent moves4 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Bradford Space competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Rocket Lab USA: Designs and manufactures spacecraft propulsion systems (e.g., Rutherford, Curie, and Photon) as well as reaction wheels and other satellite subsystems. Listed alongside Bradford in the top-5 reaction wheel sector and competes head-to-head for commercial and institutional spacecraft hardware contracts.
- AAC Clyde Space: Specialized small-satellite subsystem supplier offering reaction wheels, propulsion modules, and attitude control products. Directly comparable to Bradford as a top-5 reaction wheel competitor focused on the small-sat commercial and institutional segment.
- New Space Systems: South Africa-based supplier of satellite subsystems including reaction wheels, ADCS, and propulsion components. Listed alongside Bradford in the top-5 reaction wheel ranking and competes for small-sat attitude control contracts globally.
Broad incumbents
- Northrop Grumman: Large aerospace and defense prime producing spacecraft buses, propulsion, and attitude control subsystems including reaction wheels. Competes with Bradford across multiple spacecraft component categories and is also listed in the top-5 reaction wheel ranking.
- Aerojet Rocketdyne (L3Harris): Major US propulsion and missile system manufacturer acquired by L3Harris, supplying in-space propulsion hardware and components for civil and defense spacecraft. Competes with Bradford's propulsion and thruster product line at the prime and subsystem level.
- Moog Inc. Diversified aerospace supplier with a space products division producing reaction wheels, propulsion components, and attitude control hardware. Comparable to Bradford as a broad aerospace component manufacturer serving institutional and commercial space customers.
- Thales Alenia Space: European prime contractor for satellite systems and space infrastructure, with in-house attitude control and propulsion capabilities. Comparable to Bradford as both a potential customer for subsystems and a competitor on integrated missions in the European institutional market.
- Beyond Gravity (RUAG Space): European supplier of space structures, mechanisms, and attitude control products for institutional and commercial satellites. Comparable to Bradford as a European-headquartered spacecraft hardware supplier competing in the same procurement environment.
Regional players
- OHB SE: European satellite and space systems prime headquartered in Germany, building full spacecraft buses and components. Comparable to Bradford as a European-headquartered space hardware supplier that can offer in-house alternatives to Bradford's subsystems in ESA and EU programs.
Emerging players
- Blue Canyon Technologies: US small-satellite subsystem supplier providing reaction wheels, ADCS, and complete satellite buses. Comparable to Bradford as a specialized attitude control and propulsion subsystem competitor, particularly for the small-sat and constellation market.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Bradford Space social profiles
Digital presenceBradford Space compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Bradford Space financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Bradford Space leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Bradford Space funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Bradford Space M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A1 record
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Bradford Space
What does Bradford Space do?
Bradford Space manufactures and sells spacecraft propulsion systems and reaction wheel attitude control hardware for satellite and deep space missions. Its flagship product is the Comet Propulsion System, which uses 3D-printed brackets to reduce mass and part count. The company also supplies reaction wheels (space wheels) used by satellite integrators for attitude determination and control, serving commercial, civil, and government space customers from facilities in the Netherlands and Luxembourg.
Is Bradford Space a public or private company?
Bradford Space is a private company. It is classified as unknown and is currently operating.
When was Bradford Space founded?
Bradford Space was founded in 1984. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Bradford Space based?
Bradford Space is headquartered in New York, United States, in the North America region.
Who are Bradford Space's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Rocket Lab USA, AAC Clyde Space and New Space Systems. Broad incumbents are Northrop Grumman, Aerojet Rocketdyne (L3Harris), Moog Inc., Thales Alenia Space and Beyond Gravity (RUAG Space). OHB SE is listed as a regional player. Blue Canyon Technologies is listed as an emerging player.
Does Bradford Space have an API?
No public API is recorded for Bradford Space.
What industry is Bradford Space in?
Bradford Space's product category is Spacecraft Propulsion and Attitude Control Hardware. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMABACAE, Spacecraft Propulsion (In-Space) & Thrusters, with a secondary code of IMABACAI, Spacecraft Avionics, Flight Computers & Software. Its NAICS code is 336414 and its SIC code is 3760.