ARCSEC SPACE
ARCSEC SPACE is a Belgian spinoff of KU Leuven that designs high-precision attitude determination and control systems, including star trackers and reaction wheels, for CubeSat and SmallSat manufacturers worldwide.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2020
- HeadquartersLeuven, Belgium
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What ARCSEC SPACE does
ARCSEC SPACE (legal entity ARCSEC NV) is a privately held Belgian space hardware company founded in 2020 as a spinoff from KU Leuven in Leuven, Belgium. The company designs and manufactures high-precision attitude determination and control systems (ADCS) for CubeSats and SmallSats, with a product portfolio comprising three star trackers (Sagitta as the standard 2-arcsec unit, Twinkle as the miniaturized 20mm-class unit, and Scorpio as the radiation-tolerant SmallSat unit) and the Zyra reaction wheel for CubeSats up to 12U. Its technology stack combines custom optics, radiation-tolerant electronics, and proprietary algorithms optimized for accuracy, robustness, and low computational cost, claiming 2 arcsec pointing accuracy and 99.9% attitude acquisition in night-sky scenarios.
The business model is B2B direct hardware sales to satellite manufacturers and mission operators, with quote-based pricing and multi-year contracts. Distribution is entirely direct via email-based sales ([email protected]) and technical support ([email protected]), and the company claims a global customer base across more than 100 systems sold. Customer segments are primarily small satellite manufacturers and research institutions, with named engagements including SpaceLocker, EDGX, Fédération Open Space Makers, and Solar MEMS, alongside research missions such as SIMBA. Strategic support from the European Innovation Council (EIC Accelerator) funds the DeDUST initiative, which layers computer-vision-based space debris detection onto Sagitta star trackers, and a partnership with the European Space Agency (ESA) targets next-generation ADCS development. Headcount is small (1–10 employees), and the company carries VAT BE0745758566 as a Belgian private limited company.
ARCSEC SPACE firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- ARCSEC SPACE
- Legal name
- ARCSEC NV
- Website
- https://arcsec.space
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2020
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- ARCSEC SPACE is a Belgian spinoff of KU Leuven that designs high-precision attitude determination and control systems, including star trackers and reaction wheels, for CubeSat and SmallSat manufacturers worldwide.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
ARCSEC SPACE industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Spacecraft Attitude Determination and Control Components
- NAICS
- Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing (336414)
- SIC
- Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812), Guided Missiles & Space Vehicles & Parts (3760)
- 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)
Keywords
Where ARCSEC SPACE is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Leuven
- HQ country
- Belgium
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
ARCSEC SPACE business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Star Tracker Sales: One-time hardware sales of star tracker products (Sagitta, Twinkle, Scorpio) to satellite manufacturers and space mission operators. Products are sold as flight components for spacecraft integration.
- Reaction Wheel Sales: One-time hardware sales of Zyra reaction wheels to CubeSat operators and satellite manufacturers.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Custom pricing based on customer requirements |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels3 records
ARCSEC SPACE product offering
Product offeringCore offering
ARCSEC SPACE designs and manufactures high-precision attitude determination and control systems (ADCS) for CubeSats and SmallSats. Its product portfolio includes star trackers (Sagitta, Twinkle, Scorpio) and reaction wheels (Zyra), complemented by the DeDUST add-on technology that enables debris detection using star trackers. Products are sold as flight components for integration into customer spacecraft, with quote-based pricing and direct B2B sales.
Product overview
Arcsec develops high-accuracy attitude determination and control systems for small satellites. The product portfolio comprises four named hardware products — Sagitta (standard star tracker), Twinkle (miniaturized star tracker), Scorpio (SmallSat star tracker), and Zyra (reaction wheel) — all designed for CubeSats and SmallSats. These products are complemented by the DeDUST add-on feature, which extends Sagitta star trackers with space debris detection capability (detecting objects as small as 3 cm) without impacting primary attitude determination functionality. Together, the star tracker and reaction wheel products form a complete attitude control system offering arc-second range pointing accuracy.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Sagitta: Arcsec's standard star tracker with flight heritage and built-in baffle, offering 2 arcsec accuracy.
- Twinkle
- Scorpio
- Zyra
- DeDUST
Quantifiable outcome
- 99.9% attitude acquisition rate in night sky scenarios
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use ARCSEC SPACE
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
ARCSEC SPACE technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability1 record
Feature5 records
ARCSEC SPACE partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- European Space Agency (ESA)coreArcsec partners with ESA to develop next generation attitude control systems. ESA serves as a key strategic partner for technology development and validation.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
ARCSEC SPACE competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Blue Canyon Technologies: Blue Canyon Technologies makes small-satellite components including the XACT ADCS suite (star trackers, reaction wheels and control software) for CubeSats and SmallSats — a near-direct product overlap with Arcsec's Sagitta/Twinkle/Scorpio/Zyra portfolio.
- Sodern: Sodern builds star trackers, Earth sensors and other attitude sensors used across European and global space missions — directly comparable to Arcsec's Sagitta and Scorpio products, particularly for institutional customers.
- Bradford Space: Bradford Space (formerly Deep Space Industries / Bradford EC) produces star trackers and other attitude sensors for CubeSat-class platforms, directly competing with Arcsec's star tracker product line.
- Jena-Optronik: Jena-Optronik (a member of the Safran-Astrophysics group with Sodern) produces star trackers and attitude sensors for space platforms across civil, commercial and defense missions, competing directly with Arcsec's star tracker family.
- Innovative Solutions In Space (ISIS): ISIS provides a range of CubeSat subsystems including ADCS components and turnkey smallsat buses, positioning it as both a supplier peer (components) and a customer-side competitor (integrated platform) to Arcsec.
- Sinclair Interplanetary (SAIA AG): Sinclair Interplanetary (now part of SAIA AG / Rocket Lab) manufactures ultra-precise reaction wheels for small satellites — the same propulsion-class subsystem as Arcsec's Zyra — and shares the same CubeSat/SmallSat customer base.
- Astrofein: Astrofein manufactures reaction wheels, magnetorquers and complete ADCS packages for small satellites, overlapping with Arcsec's Zyra reaction wheel and broader attitude control offering.
- Hyperion Technologies: Hyperion Technologies supplies ADCS components and turnkey attitude control solutions for CubeSats and small satellites, including reaction wheels and star sensors — directly addressing the same customer set Arcsec targets.
Emerging players
- AAC Clyde Space: AAC Clyde Space supplies CubeSat/SmallSat subsystems (including ADCS) and turnkey satellites; while also a spacecraft integrator, its components business overlaps with Arcsec's product focus.
Broad incumbents
- Kongsberg NanoAvionics: NanoAvionics (Kongsberg) is a broader smallsat integrator offering its own ADCS subsystems; competes with Arcsec less at the bare-component level and more as an upstream platform competitor.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
ARCSEC SPACE social profiles
Digital presenceARCSEC SPACE financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
ARCSEC SPACE leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
ARCSEC SPACE funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
ARCSEC SPACE 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 ARCSEC SPACE
What does ARCSEC SPACE do?
ARCSEC SPACE designs and manufactures high-precision attitude determination and control systems (ADCS) for CubeSats and SmallSats. Its product portfolio includes star trackers (Sagitta, Twinkle, Scorpio) and reaction wheels (Zyra), complemented by the DeDUST add-on technology that enables debris detection using star trackers. Products are sold as flight components for integration into customer spacecraft, with quote-based pricing and direct B2B sales.
Is ARCSEC SPACE a public or private company?
ARCSEC SPACE is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was ARCSEC SPACE founded?
ARCSEC SPACE was founded in 2020. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is ARCSEC SPACE based?
ARCSEC SPACE is headquartered in Leuven, Belgium, in the Europe region.
How does ARCSEC SPACE make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Star Tracker Sales are the primary driver. The others are reaction Wheel Sales.
Who are ARCSEC SPACE's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Blue Canyon Technologies, Sodern, Bradford Space, Jena-Optronik, Innovative Solutions In Space (ISIS), Sinclair Interplanetary (SAIA AG), Astrofein and Hyperion Technologies. AAC Clyde Space is listed as an emerging player. Kongsberg NanoAvionics is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does ARCSEC SPACE have an API?
No public API is recorded for ARCSEC SPACE.
What industry is ARCSEC SPACE in?
ARCSEC SPACE's product category is Spacecraft Attitude Determination and Control Components. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMABACAG, Guidance, Navigation & Control (GNC) for Space Systems, with a secondary code of IMABACAI, Spacecraft Avionics, Flight Computers & Software. Its NAICS code is 336414 and its SIC code is 3812.