What SkyMapper does

SkyMapper is a decentralized physical infrastructure network (DePIN) company building a globally distributed telescope network for astronomical observation and space situational awareness. Founded in 2024 in San Francisco, the company combines hardware (SkyBridge, a gateway device that connects compatible Unistellar telescopes to the network, and the forthcoming SkySphere all-sky camera), software (SkyViewer, a web-based observation and campaign platform), and blockchain infrastructure (a dedicated Avalanche L1 chain with Akave decentralized storage) to produce cryptographically verified, tamper-proof astronomical observations. Its Proof of Space Observation (POSO) system records provenance metadata on-chain, enabling independent verification of any captured observation.

The company serves three distinct customer segments: citizen scientists and amateur astronomers who deploy SkyBridge-equipped telescopes to earn SkyCredits rewards; professional researchers and scientific institutions (notably the SETI Institute) seeking verifiable, multi-site observational data; and commercial space operators requiring Space Situational Awareness services such as precision orbit determination, collision avoidance alerts, and independent maneuver monitoring. Go-to-market blends a community-led, product-led DePIN model (self-serve SkyViewer, Kickstarter hardware launches, e-commerce storefront) with a direct enterprise sales motion targeting satellite operators.

Revenue streams include one-time SkyBridge hardware sales, recurring SkyViewer subscriptions, usage-based commercial SSA data services, and SkyCredits transaction-based monetization within the platform. As of early 2026, the network spans six continents with 52 SkyBridge units deployed and over 20,000 observations logged; the company has raised $3 million in pre-seed funding led by EV3, with participation from Volt Capital and Boost VC, and is targeting 1,000 connected telescopes by the end of 2026.

Name

SkyMapper

Legal name

SkyMapper, Inc.

Website

https://skymapper.io

Company type

Private

Founded year

2024

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

SkyMapper operates a decentralized telescope network that combines SkyBridge hardware, SkyViewer software, and Avalanche L1 blockchain verification to deliver cryptographically verified astronomical observations and space situational awareness services to citizen scientists, researchers, and commercial satellite operators.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Decentralized Astronomy & Space Situational Awareness Platform

NAICS

Satellite Telecommunications (5174), Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services (5182)

SIC

Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812), Optical Instruments & Lenses (3827)

akta.pro primary industry

Decentralized Physical Infrastructure & Mapping (geospatial, mapping, mobility data networks) (FSAPALAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

DePIN Hardware, Devices & Supply Chain (miners/routers/hotspots, firmware, device management) (FSAPALAJ), DePIN Orchestration, Scheduling & Middleware (resource discovery, job scheduling, workload orchestration) (FSAPALAK)

Keywords

• Decentralized telescope network
• Space situational awareness
• Blockchain astronomy
• Satellite tracking services
• Depin observation platform

Headquarters

HQ city

San Francisco

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Software

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Hardware Sales (SkyBridge): Sale of SkyBridge hardware devices that connect compatible telescopes to the SkyMapper network. The device is required for telescope owners to participate in the decentralized network and earn SkyCredits rewards.
2. Platform Subscription (SkyViewer): SkyViewer platform access for controlling telescopes, scheduling observations, and accessing the global observation network. Users can spend SkyCredits on premium features, data services, and network prioritization.
3. Commercial SSA Data Services: Space Situational Awareness data products sold to commercial satellite operators including precision orbit determination, collision avoidance alerts with blockchain-stamped CDMs, and independent maneuver monitoring. Specialized pricing for multi-satellite constellation screening.
4. SkyCredits Ecosystem: Native token currency used across the platform for reserving telescope time, purchasing observation data, accessing premium features, and executing network missions. Credits earned through contributions can be spent on platform services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

SkyMapper operates a decentralized physical infrastructure network (DePIN) that connects telescopes and all-sky cameras worldwide into a global observation network. The company sells the SkyBridge hardware gateway device, the SkyViewer web-based observation platform, and the SkySphere all-sky imaging system, all secured by blockchain-based cryptographic verification (Proof of Space Observation) to deliver tamper-proof astronomical and space situational awareness data.

Product overview

SkyMapper offers a modular platform-plus-products architecture centered on its decentralized telescope network. The core SkyMapper Network connects compatible telescopes globally via blockchain technology for real-time sky observation and satellite tracking. SkyBridge serves as the hardware gateway that links individual telescopes to the network, while SkyViewer provides the software interface for controlling observations, viewing live feeds, and managing campaigns. SkySphere is an all-sky camera add-on for continuous environmental monitoring. SkyCredits functions as the platform's reward currency incentivizing network participation. Together, these products enable the network to map all the sky, all the time with blockchain-verified, immutable data.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• SkyBridge: Hardware gateway device that connects compatible telescopes to the SkyMapper network, managing alignment, data processing, and connectivity.
• SkyViewer
• SkySphere
• SkyCredits
• SkyKeepers

Products and services

• SkyBridge SkyBridge is a compact hardware gateway that transforms compatible telescopes (such as Unistellar Odyssey and Equinox 2) into intelligent, always-ready nodes in the SkyMapper network. It manages alignment, data processing, and connectivity with onboard AI for real-time target identification and image filtering, enabling devices to participate in satellite monitoring, re-entry tracking, and meteor observation when idle.
• SkyViewer

Quantifiable outcome

• Network can respond to cosmic events in under 2 minutes, faster than many professional observatories
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

AI capability8 records

Feature7 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• AkavecoreTechnology or IntegrationAkave provides SkyMapper with a decentralized data layer and storage solution built on a dedicated Avalanche L1 blockchain. This infrastructure enables the collection of tamper-proof astronomical data with all data interactions recorded on-chain, creating transparent and verifiable records of every observation. Akave's system guarantees data sovereignty and immutability for scientific analysis.
• UnistellarcoreTechnology or IntegrationUnistellar, a French manufacturer of computer-connected telescopes, is SkyMapper's foundational telescope partner. The collaboration provides access to Unistellar's global network of thousands of smart telescopes operated by citizen scientists, enabling rapid scaling without constructing a network de novo. Facilitates real-time observation of asteroid occultations, comet activity, and exoplanet transits.
• SETI InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSETI Institute participates in SkyMapper's decentralized telescope network, contributing observations alongside broader participants. The Institute's expertise in instrumentation, research, and data analysis helps process astronomical data collected by the network. Partnership includes joint presentations at Stanford and donor events.
• Centre d'AstronomieminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCentre d'Astronomie is a public educational facility located adjacent to the Observatoire de Haute-Provence, dedicated to sharing scientific knowledge and providing opportunities for people of all ages to engage with astronomy.
• ConstelAR SpaceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConstelAR Space is an interdisciplinary network dedicated to strengthening the Argentine space ecosystem by connecting professionals, researchers, and companies.
• Decen Space UGminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDecen Space connects satellite operators to a global network of ground stations and orchestrates across heterogeneous networks. Partnership aims to expand infrastructure access for satellite operators including visual tracking of satellites in orbit through SkyMapper's telescope network.
• Fédération des astronomes amateurs du Québec (FAAQ)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRecognized by Quebec Ministry of Education, FAAQ is the province's premier non-profit amateur astronomy organization representing 2,000 members and 27 clubs across 15 administrative regions. Partnership unlocks a vibrant community of francophone amateur astronomers.
• Infinite OrbitsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrench NewSpace company specializing in geostationary orbit (GEO) satellite servicing, focusing on life extension and situational awareness. Partnership for satellite tracking and observation capabilities.
• Light BridgesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrivate research company based in the Canary Islands focusing on observational astronomy and data management.
• Light-Year Astronomical AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLight-Year Astronomical Association's Mobile Observatory initiative provides accessible STEM education in underserved rural and urban communities across Eastern North Carolina. Telescopes made available through SkyViewer platform as a partnership.
• PACS e-LabminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPan-African Citizen Science e-Laboratory is a non-profit platform dedicated to advancing STEM education and citizen science through hands-on activities in astronomy and space science across Africa.
• Puerto Rico Space FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounded in 2023, PRSF is committed to advancing space education, entrepreneurship, and workforce development in Puerto Rico through initiatives in education, research, and partnerships.
• Serenum SpaceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCzech aerospace company designing and manufacturing components for small satellites (CubeSats) as a commercial subsidiary of Czech Aerospace Research Centre (VZLU).
• Thales Alenia SpaceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpace Business Catalyst initiative led by Thales Alenia Space's Innovation Cluster supports emergence of new markets and players in the space sector. Industry accelerator collaborating with startups to shape space ecosystem of the future.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Filecoin: Decentralized storage network and one of the largest DePIN deployments. SkyMapper co-founder Stefaan Vervaet was Head of Growth at Protocol Labs (Filecoin's parent), and SkyMapper's data layer architecture (Akave on Avalanche L1) borrows directly from this model.
• ExoAnalytic Solutions: Provider of space domain awareness and non-Earth imaging services using a globally distributed optical telescope network. Closest direct comparable to SkyMapper's optical SSA approach, though with centralized rather than decentralized infrastructure.
• LeoLabs: Commercial provider of Space Situational Awareness and orbital tracking services using a global radar network. Directly competes with SkyMapper's SSA data offering targeting satellite operators for collision avoidance and orbit determination.
• Unistellar: Manufacturer of smart telescopes (Odyssey, Equinox 2) and operator of the world's largest citizen-science telescope network (10,000+ units). Strategic SkyMapper partner but also a comparable in deploying distributed telescope hardware for astronomy and SSA.
• Helium: Pioneer DePIN network using token incentives to deploy distributed physical infrastructure (wireless hotspots). Closest comparable business model to SkyMapper — token-incentivized hardware network — though Helium targets wireless connectivity rather than observation.
• Slingshot Aerospace: Space situational awareness and space traffic management platform serving commercial and government satellite operators. Competes with SkyMapper's commercial SSA offering, particularly in collision avoidance alerts and orbital monitoring.
• Akave: Decentralized data storage and marketplace protocol built on Avalanche. SkyMapper's data layer partner, founded by the same co-founder (Stefaan Vervaet); comparable DePIN infrastructure model and overlapping technology stack.

Emerging players

• Celestia: Modular blockchain network enabling custom application-specific L1/L2 chains. Adjacent infrastructure peer — SkyMapper launched a dedicated Avalanche L1, and Celestia represents the broader trend of app-chain architectures underpinning DePIN projects.
• Render Network: Decentralized GPU compute network using token incentives. Comparable DePIN model — distributed physical infrastructure tokenized for verifiable compute — and similar use of Avalanche/Polygon chain integrations.

Broad incumbents

• Planet Labs: Public company operating the world's largest commercial satellite imaging constellation. Broader space-based Earth observation incumbent that, while focused on imagery rather than astronomical SSA, represents the kind of scaled space-data business SkyMapper could evolve toward.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Skymapperspace
• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php?id=61577077387079
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/105814081
• Instagraminstagram.com/inc.skymapper

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors3 records

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 SkyMapper