What Space Machine & Engineering does

Space Machine & Engineering Corp. is a privately held, AS9100D-certified and ITAR-registered U.S. manufacturer of precision waveguide components and RF assemblies, founded in 1962 and headquartered in a 23,000 sq ft facility in St. Petersburg, Florida. The company designs, fabricates, and tests rectangular waveguides, double ridge waveguides (including seamless flexible and thinwall variants), transitions, flanges, horn antennas, coiled delay lines, and supporting accessories for high-frequency signal transmission in radar, electronic warfare, satellite communication, weather and air traffic control, maritime, scientific research, and commercial space applications. Technical capabilities include advanced CNC machining, precision forming, specialized plating, space-qualified materials and processes rated for thermal cycling from -150°C to +150°C, and electromagnetic design optimization using Ansys HFSS simulation.

The company sells exclusively through a direct, quote-based B2B enterprise sales motion targeting defense contractors, government agencies, aerospace primes, and commercial space customers, with engineering and on-site installation/testing services offered alongside hardware. Named customers include Astranis (MicroGEO satellite program), Maxar Space Systems (2023 Supplier Excellence Award recipient), and the U.S. Navy (USS John P. Murtha LPD-26 AN/SPS-73(V)18 radar modernization). Revenue is generated primarily from custom waveguide fabrication (hardware sales) and professional services for engineering, layout, installation, and post-installation testing.

The business is privately held with no disclosed parent company, funding rounds, or public listing. The workforce carries 250+ years of combined aerospace and defense experience, and the company maintains ISO 9001:2015 and AS9100D quality certifications alongside ITAR registration as core qualifications for defense prime supplier status. Customer logos and product line position the company as a niche, heritage supplier in the precision RF component segment rather than a scaled industrial player.

Name

Space Machine & Engineering

Legal name

Space Machine and Engineering Corp.

Website

https://space-machine.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1962

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Space Machine & Engineering is an AS9100D-certified, ITAR-registered U.S. manufacturer of precision waveguide components and RF assemblies, serving defense, space, and commercial aerospace customers from its St. Petersburg, Florida facility since 1962.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

RF Waveguide Components

NAICS

Other Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing (336419), Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511), Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing (33641)

SIC

Guided Missiles & Space Vehicles & Parts (3760), Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812)

akta.pro primary industry

Space Payloads & Instruments (Sensors, Comms, EO/IR) (IMABACAD)

Keywords

• Waveguide manufacturing
• RF components
• Satellite communications hardware
• Defense electronics
• Precision machining

Headquarters

HQ city

St. Petersburg

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Custom Waveguide Fabrication: Design, manufacturing, and sale of custom waveguide assemblies and subsystems for satellite communications, radar systems, and advanced testing environments. Products include rectangular waveguides, double ridge waveguides, bend assemblies, transitions, and accessories.
2. Installation and Testing Services: On-site custom manufacturing, installation, testing and targeting services for waveguides. Includes layout services, on-site installation support, and post-installation testing to ensure optimal performance.
3. RF Engineering Services: Engineering services including RF engineering, waveguide calculator tools, and consulting for waveguide design and implementation.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Space Machine & Engineering designs, manufactures, and supports precision waveguide components and RF assemblies — including rectangular, double ridge, thinwall, seamless flexible, and transitioned waveguides, plus accessories such as flanges, gaskets, calibration kits, covers, and standoffs — for aerospace, defense, and satellite communication applications. The company also provides on-site custom manufacturing, installation, layout, targeting, and post-installation testing services, alongside RF engineering and consulting. All products are sold via direct sales with custom quote-based pricing to defense contractors, government agencies, satellite manufacturers, and aerospace companies.

Product overview

Space Machine & Engineering is a waveguide design, manufacturing, and support company offering a comprehensive portfolio of RF transmission components. The core product line centers on Rectangular Waveguides and Double Ridge Waveguides (including Thinwall variants), complemented by a full range of accessories including transitions, flanges, calibration kits, gasket kits, waveguide covers, standoffs, and flexible assemblies. The company provides custom manufacturing services for bespoke waveguide solutions alongside standard product lines. Products are sold as standalone components (waveguides, assemblies, accessories) rather than as a unified software platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Rectangular Waveguides Standard and custom rectangular waveguide components for aerospace, defense, and satellite communication systems, featuring precision-engineered geometries for efficient TE mode propagation.
• Double Ridge Waveguides Wideband double ridge waveguide assemblies and accessories including adapters, flanges, flexible assemblies, horn antennas, and transitions for expanded frequency range applications.
• Thinwall Waveguides Lightweight thin-wall waveguide components designed for space and aerospace applications where weight reduction is critical.
• Double Ridge Waveguide Seamless Flexible Assemblies Standard product line of seamless flexible double ridge waveguide assemblies covering sizes WRD650 thru WRD200, made from silver-clad brass or beryllium copper.
• Rectangular To Double Ridge Waveguide Transitions Standard product line of transitions connecting rectangular waveguides to double ridge waveguides, with VSWR of 1.10:1 typical in overlapping frequency bands.
• Coiled Delay Line Assembly Custom coiled delay line assemblies covering rectangular and double ridge waveguides with configurable electrical length.
• Horn Antennas Precision horn antennas for waveguide systems used in various applications including radar and communications.
• Dual Sidewall Pressurized Flat and Choke Flanges Standard dual sidewall flanges available in cleared and tapped configurations for various waveguide sizes including WR62 through WR650.
• Waveguide Standoffs Standard waveguide clamps with hardware for all waveguide sizes, used to hold waveguides in E or H plane, furnished with stainless steel mounting hardware.
• Waveguide Flange Nut Bracket Waveguide Flange Nut Brackets for CPR type Flanges from waveguide sizes WR75 thru WR975, made from stainless steel for easy installation and removal.
• Waveguide Covers CWRD Protective plastic covers for double ridge waveguide flanges (WRD200 thru WRD180) for shipping, packaging, and production processes.
• Waveguide Covers CWR Protective plastic waveguide covers for rectangular waveguide flanges (WR10 thru WR650) for product protection during shipping and production.
• Waveguide Calibration Kit Standard calibration kits for rectangular waveguides (WR28 thru WR650) including SMA adapters, offset shorts, and precision terminations.
• Rectangular Waveguide Gasket Kit Gasket kits for all gasket types covering rectangular waveguide sizes WR28 thru WR650, including gaskets, screws, nuts and washers.
• Double Ridge Waveguide Gasket Kit Gasket kits for all gasket types covering double ridge waveguides from WRD200 thru WRD180, including EMI/RFI and conductive options.
• Custom Waveguide Covers Custom plastic waveguide covers for nonstandard sizes and shapes to protect products during shipping, packaging, or production processes.
• On-Site Installation and Testing Services On-site custom manufacturing, installation, layout, targeting, and post-installation testing services for waveguide assemblies in satellite communications, radar systems, and advanced testing environments.
• RF Engineering Services RF engineering, waveguide calculator tools, and consulting for waveguide design and implementation.
• Engineering Services Custom waveguide engineering services for design and implementation across military, satellite, weather, maritime, scientific, and startup applications.

Quantifiable outcome

• VSWR of 1.10:1 typical for rectangular to double ridge waveguide transitions in overlapping frequency bands
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Maxar Space SystemsnotableStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Space Machine received the 2023 Maxar Space Systems Supplier Excellence Award recognizing excellence as a supplier in the space industry. Maxar is a major space technology company and Space Machine serves as a supplier of precision waveguide components.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Mercury Systems: Public aerospace and defense supplier with a broad RF and microwave product portfolio serving radar, EW, and space applications. Overlaps with Space Machine on RF components for defense and satellite systems but operates at much larger scale across multiple product lines.
• Cobham Advanced Electronic Solutions: Major defense electronics supplier offering RF, microwave, and antenna products for aerospace and defense customers. Comparable to Space Machine in serving radar and satellite communications applications but with a much broader portfolio.
• Smiths Interconnect: Global provider of RF/microwave components, waveguide assemblies, and interconnect solutions for aerospace, defense, and space markets. Directly competes in waveguide products while also offering a broader interconnect portfolio.
• Pasternack (Infinite Electronics): Broad-line supplier of RF, microwave, and waveguide components including stock and custom waveguide assemblies. Overlaps with Space Machine on waveguide products but is primarily a catalog distributor serving broader commercial and industrial markets.
• Narda-MITEQ (L3Harris): Specialist in RF/microwave components, waveguide devices, and subsystems serving defense, space, and commercial customers. Now part of L3Harris, comparable to Space Machine in waveguide product offering but with much larger parent backing.

Direct peers

• Flann Microwave: UK-based specialist manufacturer of precision microwave and waveguide components, antennas, and test equipment. Highly comparable to Space Machine's core focus on rectangular and double-ridge waveguide products serving aerospace, defense, and scientific markets.
• QuinStar Technology: US-based manufacturer specializing in millimeter-wave and microwave components, waveguide assemblies, and subsystems for defense, space, and scientific applications. Closely comparable to Space Machine in product scope and end markets.
• SAGE Millimeter: Specialty supplier of millimeter-wave and microwave components, including waveguide products, antennas, and test equipment for defense, aerospace, and communications. Direct competitor in the precision waveguide niche.
• Microwave Dynamics: Manufacturer of passive microwave components including waveguide assemblies, isolators, and filters for space, defense, and commercial applications. Comparable niche focus and customer base to Space Machine.
• ARRA Inc. Manufacturer of microwave components and waveguide assemblies used in defense, aerospace, and commercial applications. Comparable specialty manufacturer serving similar customer segments as Space Machine.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 Space Machine & Engineering