Spacebel
Spacebel is a privately held Belgian space systems and software engineering company, founded in 1988, that designs flight software, ground segment systems, simulation tools, and geospatial Earth observation platforms for ESA, CNES, EUMETSAT and aerospace primes across 50+ space missions.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1988
- HeadquartersAngleur, Belgium
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What Spacebel does
Spacebel is a privately held Belgian space systems and software engineering company founded in 1988, headquartered in Angleur (Liège) with operations in Hoeilaart (Belgium) and Labège (France) and a consolidated team of approximately 120 specialists. The company designs, develops, integrates, and validates mission-critical information technology for space, organized into two service lines: Space Systems (flight segment software, ground segment systems including clean rooms, modelling and simulation, and small satellite systems) and Data Intelligence (spatial data management, AI-enabled Earth observation applications). Spacebel has contributed to more than 50 space missions across planetary defence (Hera), dark-universe science (Euclid), formation flying (Proba-3), ozone and climate monitoring (ALTIUS, EarthCARE), and meteorology (MetOp-SG with EUMETSAT).
The company's commercial offering combines professional services revenue from project-based contracts with space agencies and aerospace primes, recurring subscription revenue from geospatial information systems such as the cloud-based OHDSA hyperspectral data platform developed with constellr and ESA, and packaged small satellite systems sold as integrated solutions. Distribution is exclusively direct-to-client through framework agreements with ESA ESOC and CNES, partnerships with aerospace primes (Sener, Redwire Space, OHB System, OHB Italia), and government bodies for civil security applications such as the SAFEPLACE crisis management platform. Spacebel is qualified partner at ESA ESOC, chairs Belgospace and Wallonie Espace, is a shareholder in constellr, and operates the N7 Space subsidiary created in 2017. A leadership transition in May 2025 appointed Eric Lardinois as Managing Director, with Thierry du Pré-Werson assuming the role of Chairman of the Board.
Pricing is not publicly disclosed and operates within standard B2G/B2B European space procurement conventions. Spacebel is ISO 9001 certified by BSI and holds no disclosed institutional external investment beyond an earlier S.R.I.W. round. The firm serves four primary segments: space agencies (ESA, CNES, BIRA-IASB), major aerospace primes (Sener, Redwire, OHB), governmental bodies and EU institutions (Belgian Federal Police, NCCN, EUMETSAT, civil protection agencies), and a smaller commercial Earth observation market.
Spacebel firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Spacebel
- Legal name
- SPACEBEL s.a.
- Website
- https://spacebel.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1988
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Spacebel is a privately held Belgian space systems and software engineering company, founded in 1988, that designs flight software, ground segment systems, simulation tools, and geospatial Earth observation platforms for ESA, CNES, EUMETSAT and aerospace primes across 50+ space missions.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Spacebel industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Space Systems Software
- 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), Computer Systems Design and Related Services (54151)
- SIC
- Guided Missiles & Space Vehicles & Parts (3760), Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812), Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Spacecraft Avionics, Flight Computers & Software (IMABACAI)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Spacecraft & Satellites (Civil/Commercial) (IMABACAB), Space Payloads & Instruments (Sensors, Comms, EO/IR) (IMABACAD), Military Space Systems (Defense Spacecraft) (IMABACAC), Satellite Imagery & Remote Sensing Geospatial Platforms (BPAMANAM)
Keywords
Where Spacebel is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Angleur
- HQ country
- Belgium
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices3 records
Markets served
Spacebel business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Space Systems Software Development: Design, development, integration, and validation of IT space systems including flight software, ground segment, and simulation tools for space missions. Revenue generated through project-based contracts with space agencies and aerospace primes.
- Geospatial Information Systems: Space applications including geospatial decision support solutions and Earth observation services for optimised land, environment and natural resources management
- Small Satellite Systems: Supply of small satellite system solutions as part of international small satellite system suppliers
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels4 records
Spacebel product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Spacebel designs, develops, integrates and validates mission-critical IT space systems and geospatial information systems. Its portfolio covers on-board flight software, ground segment mission control and data processing systems, modelling and simulation tools, end-to-end small satellite systems, geospatial data management, and AI-powered Earth observation applications for space agencies, aerospace primes, governmental bodies and EU institutions.
Product overview
SPACEBEL is a Belgian Space systems and software engineering company offering a comprehensive portfolio of space technology solutions. The company provides two main service lines: Space Systems (Flight Segment, Ground Segment, Modelling & Simulation, and Small Satellite Systems) and Data Intelligence (Data Management and AI & EO Applications). Key products include on-board satellite software, ground segment systems, simulation tools (PrestoPlot, PrestoDecom, GOSS, VTS), the OHDSA hyperspectral data platform, and the SAFEPLACE emergency response platform. SPACEBEL has participated in over 50 space missions and develops advanced IT solutions for the global space ecosystem.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Flight Segment Software
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 50 Space missions delivered successfully
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Spacebel
Customer profileNamed customers10 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Spacebel technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability6 records
Feature6 records
Spacebel partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- European Space Agency (ESA)coreESA is the primary strategic partner for SPACEBEL. The company delivers on-board software for ESA missions including Hera (planetary defence), Proba-3 (formation flying), ALTIUS (ozone monitoring), Euclid (dark universe), MetOp-SG (meteorological), EarthCARE (climate), and many others. SPACEBEL is a qualified partner of ESOC.
- CNES (Centre National d'Études Spatiales)coreFrench Space Agency CNES is a long-standing strategic partner. SPACEBEL has framework agreements with CNES and developed VTS (Visualisation Tool for Space data) for and with CNES. Collaboration includes satellite simulation, balloon control systems, and mission centres.
- Starion Technologies NVcoreStarion is prime contractor of ESA's SAFEPLACE emergency response platform. SPACEBEL secured an agreement to develop wildfire hazard map service assessing wildfire ignition probability and fire susceptibility in Belgium as part of the SAFEPLACE extension.
- SenercoreSener (Spain) is prime contractor for Proba-3 mission. SPACEBEL is an industrial core team member, having developed ground segment software, on-board software, and satellite simulator for the formation flying mission.
- EUMETSATcoreEUMETSAT jointly develops MetOp-SG meteorological satellites with ESA. SPACEBEL contributes flight software, ground processors, and simulation systems for these polar-orbiting Earth observation satellites.
- constellrcoreGerman space company specializing in thermal infrared satellite technology. SPACEBEL is both shareholder and trusted partner, developing the Operational Hyperspectral Data Store and Access (OHDSA) platform for hyperspectral Earth observation satellite constellation.
- DELTATECcoreDELTATEC is prime contractor for HiPeDaHU (High Performance Data Handling Unit) innovation partnership. SPACEBEL contributes expertise in mass memory management and on-board software, accumulated over 20+ space missions.
- Centre Spatial de Liège (CSL)minorBelgian space research centre partnering on SENWISE project for wildfire management and various other ESA projects.
- CRA-WminorWalloon Agricultural Research Centre partnering on SENWISE project for agriculture and forestry monitoring.
- EURACminorItalian research institute partnering on SENWISE project for wildfire, forestry and agriculture monitoring.
- Entente ValabreminorFrench organisation providing operational data insights for SENWISE wildfire management project.
- DiginoveminorFrench partner in SENWISE consortium for wildfire hazard and agriculture monitoring.
- BIRA-IASBcoreRoyal Belgian Institute for Space Aeronomy initiated the ALTIUS mission. SPACEBEL provides software solutions for this Belgian-led ozone monitoring mission.
- OHB SystemminorSPACEBEL is partner in Odin's Eye program led by OHB System to strengthen Europe's security and defence strategy.
- OHB ItaliaminorPartnership for Genesis mission embedded software development.
- BelgospacecoreBelgian aerospace industry association. SPACEBEL chairs Belgospace, contributing to development of Belgian space industry.
- Wallonie EspacecoreWalloon space industry association. SPACEBEL chairs Wallonie Espace, supporting development of space sector in Wallonia.
- SkywincoreBelgian competitiveness cluster for aerospace. SPACEBEL participates in this cluster for technology and innovation collaboration.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Spacebel competitors and assessment
Company assessmentOthers
Direct peers
- GMV: Spanish space systems and software engineering firm offering flight segment software, ground segment systems, simulation, and Earth observation applications. Closest direct peer to SPACEBEL in terms of size, geography (EU), customer base (ESA, CNES, EUMETSAT), and product portfolio.
- OHB System: German prime contractor for ESA and EU space missions, working on small satellites, Earth observation, and security programmes such as Odin's Eye, in which SPACEBEL is also a partner. Comparable on customer overlap and mission profile, though larger in scope.
- Redwire Space: US-headquartered space hardware and smallsat integrator with European operations in Belgium. SPACEBEL provided software for the ALTIUS platform assembled by Redwire; both target smallsat constellations for ESA and commercial customers.
- SENER Aeroespacial: Spanish aerospace engineering group and prime contractor for ESA's Proba-3 mission, in which SPACEBEL contributed ground segment, on-board software, and simulator. Direct peer in space systems engineering for ESA programmes.
- Deimos Space: Spanish space systems engineering company, part of Elecnor Deimos, offering ground segment systems, mission analysis, and smallsat platforms. Comparable to SPACEBEL in size, ESA focus, and end-to-end space systems capability.
- SCISYS (now CGI Federal UK Space): UK space software specialist acquired by CGI, supplying ground segment and mission control software for ESA missions. Closely comparable to SPACEBEL in ground segment and mission control software offerings.
- Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace (Space): Norwegian aerospace division delivering space subsystems, ground stations, and smallsat components to ESA. Comparable in mission profile and European public-sector customer base, though broader in scope.
Broad incumbents
- Thales Alenia Space: Major European space prime offering spacecraft, orbital systems, ground segment, and Earth observation solutions. Overlaps with SPACEBEL across the full portfolio but operates at a vastly larger scale as a tier-1 prime.
Emerging players
- constellr: German thermal infrared Earth observation startup operating a hyperspectral satellite constellation. SPACEBEL is both a shareholder and software partner (OHDSA platform); partially overlapping as a small-sat specialist targeting EO applications.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Spacebel social profiles
Digital presenceSpacebel compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Spacebel financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Spacebel leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
Spacebel subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries2 records
Spacebel funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Spacebel 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 Spacebel
What does Spacebel do?
Spacebel designs, develops, integrates and validates mission-critical IT space systems and geospatial information systems. Its portfolio covers on-board flight software, ground segment mission control and data processing systems, modelling and simulation tools, end-to-end small satellite systems, geospatial data management, and AI-powered Earth observation applications for space agencies, aerospace primes, governmental bodies and EU institutions.
Is Spacebel a public or private company?
Spacebel is a private company. It is classified as management employee owned and is currently operating.
When was Spacebel founded?
Spacebel was founded in 1988. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Spacebel based?
Spacebel is headquartered in Angleur, Belgium, in the Europe region.
How does Spacebel make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Space Systems Software Development is the primary driver. The others are geospatial Information Systems and small Satellite Systems.
Who are Spacebel's main competitors?
Airbus Defence and Space is listed as an others. Direct peers are GMV, OHB System, Redwire Space, SENER Aeroespacial, Deimos Space, SCISYS (now CGI Federal UK Space) and Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace (Space). Thales Alenia Space is listed as a broad incumbent. constellr is listed as an emerging player.
Does Spacebel have an API?
No public API is recorded for Spacebel.
What industry is Spacebel in?
Spacebel's product category is Space Systems Software. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMABACAI, Spacecraft Avionics, Flight Computers & Software, with a secondary code of IMABACAB, Spacecraft & Satellites (Civil/Commercial). Its NAICS code is 336414 and its SIC code is 3760.