Comat
Comat is a French space equipment manufacturer, founded 1977 and based near Toulouse, that designs and produces flight-qualified mechanisms (reaction wheels, SADM, plasma thrusters, deployable antennas) for satellite primes, space agencies (CNES, ESA), and NewSpace constellation operators across Europe.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1977
- HeadquartersFlourens, France
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Comat does
Comat is a French space equipment manufacturer, founded in 1977 and headquartered in Flourens (Toulouse metropolitan area), that designs and manufactures flight-qualified mechanisms and sub-systems for satellites and space missions. The company is privately held as a wholly-owned subsidiary of AGORA Industries (acquired in 2008) and operates three business lines: Exploration & Science, Telecommunication & Observation, and Small Sat. Its core product portfolio includes reaction wheels (RW Series, qualified for 8 years of in-orbit operation), Solar Array Drive Mechanisms (SADM, including the only European off-the-shelf solution above 200W), the Plasma Jet-Pack electric thruster, deployable antennas, the NANOBOOM deployable mast, and serial-produced radiators for constellations. All products are designed and manufactured in France with ISO5/ISO7 clean rooms and ECSS-compliant processes.
Comat generates revenue primarily through B2B hardware sales of space mechanisms to satellite primes (Airbus Defence and Space, Thales Alenia Space), government agencies (CNES, ESA, DGA), and NewSpace constellation operators (OneWeb, Kinéis, Hemeria, ISIS, U-Space), complemented by Design-to-MAIT (Manufacturing, Assembly, Integration and Test) professional services. Its go-to-market is direct enterprise field sales targeting space agencies, primes, and integrators, supported by participation in major industry events (Paris Air Show, IAC, Space Tech Expo) and French government programs (France 2030, ETIncelle, France Relance). Pricing is custom quote-based with no public disclosure, reflecting project-specific flight hardware economics.
The company reported €13M in revenue in FY2022 (up from €11M in 2021), employs 166 people, and is executing a multi-year capacity expansion — including a 1,400 m² new building and the SATURNE constellation factory (delivery end-2025) targeting 100+ smallsat units per year — alongside new products (ASTR2, SADM-1500) and a stated 2028 revenue objective of €20M with 150-200 employees.
Comat firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Comat
- Legal name
- SASU COMAT
- Website
- https://comat.space
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1977
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Comat is a French space equipment manufacturer, founded 1977 and based near Toulouse, that designs and produces flight-qualified mechanisms (reaction wheels, SADM, plasma thrusters, deployable antennas) for satellite primes, space agencies (CNES, ESA), and NewSpace constellation operators across Europe.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Comat industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Space Equipment Manufacturing
- 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), Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Propulsion Unit and Propulsion Unit Parts Manufacturing (336415)
- SIC
- Guided Missiles & Space Vehicles & Parts (3760), Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Space Structures, Mechanisms & Thermal Control (IMABACAF)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Spacecraft & Satellites (Civil/Commercial) (IMABACAB), Spacecraft Avionics, Flight Computers & Software (IMABACAI), Space Payloads & Instruments (Sensors, Comms, EO/IR) (IMABACAD)
Keywords
Where Comat is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Flourens
- HQ country
- France
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
Comat business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Space Equipment Manufacturing: Design, development, and manufacturing of space mechanisms and equipment (reaction wheels, SADM, propulsion, deployable structures) sold to satellite integrators and space agencies as flight hardware.
- Integration and Testing Services: Design to MAIT (Manufacture Assembly Integration and Test) services including AIT capabilities, clean room assembly, and testing for third-party space equipment.
- Serial Production: Mass production of mechanisms for constellation programs, including dedicated factory for large-scale manufacturing of reaction wheels and other smallsat equipment.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels6 records
Comat product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Comat is a French space equipment manufacturer designing and producing flight-qualified mechanisms and subsystems for satellites. Its product portfolio covers reaction wheels for attitude control, solar array drive mechanisms (SADM) for power management, plasma-based electric propulsion (Plasma Jet-Pack), and deployable structures including antennas and masts (NANOBOOM), with full Design-to-MAIT (Manufacture Assembly Integration and Test) services offered to satellite integrators and space agencies.
Product overview
Comat is a space equipment manufacturer offering a comprehensive portfolio of mechanisms and subsystems for satellites. The product line includes: Reaction Wheels (RW40, RW60, RW80) for attitude control across Light and Heavy series; SADM (Solar Array Drive Mechanism) for solar panel orientation; Plasma Jet-Pack electric thrusters for propulsion; Deployable Antennas for communications; NANOBOOM deployable masts; and radiators for constellation programs. All products are designed and manufactured in France (Toulouse area) with clean room capabilities (ISO5/ISO7). The company also provides full lifecycle services from design to testing and maintenance.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Reaction Wheels (RW Series) Plug-and-play reaction wheels for satellite attitude control, with radiation-hardened electronics qualified for up to 8 years operation in space. Light Series (0.02-2 Nms) for 10-150 kg satellites; Heavy Series (6-50 Nms) for 150-1000 kg satellites.
- SADM (Solar Array Drive Mechanism) Compact mechanism for orienting satellite solar panels. SADM-200 handles up to 200W per wing at 28V; SADM-1500 under development targets 1500W per wing for larger satellites.
- Plasma Jet-Pack (PJP)
Quantifiable outcome
- RW40 reaction wheel qualified for 8 years operation in space with 100,000 zero-crossing tests
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Comat
Customer profileNamed customers12 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Comat technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature6 records
Comat partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
17 partnerships are on record, tiered core, strategic, flagship and minor.
- STEELcoreElectronics partner for ASTR2 reaction wheel and SADM-1500 projects, providing electronic components and integration expertise for the France 2030 funded developments.
- NOVATEMcoreMotor supplier for ASTR2 and SADM-1500 projects, providing specialized motors for reaction wheels and solar array drive mechanisms.
- ADRcoreBearing supplier for ASTR2 reaction wheel project, providing precision bearings essential for wheel rotation mechanisms.
- Cité de l'espacestrategicPartnership renewal with Toulouse space education center, including sponsorship of Martian field and joint events.
- Airbus Defence and SpaceflagshipIndustrialization, manufacturing, integration and acceptance test partnership for OneSat flexible satellite deployment and pointing sub-system. Multi-year frame contract worth over 10 million euros covering dozens of equipment units.
- Infinite OrbitsstrategicMoU signed for collaboration on intelligent proximity navigation solutions, combining technical and commercial expertise for space navigation market positioning.
- CNESflagshipLong-standing partnership with French Space Agency for space mechanism development, microgravity experiments, and AIT capabilities. Multiple innovation contracts and CNES label certifications.
- ESAcoreEuropean Space Agency partnership for space mechanisms, Plasma Jet-Pack development, and mission support including IOD/IOV ISIS mission.
- HemeriacoreReaction wheel manufacturing line partnership for Kinéis constellation production. Hemeria serves as integrator for nanosatellite platforms using Comat equipment.
- Kinéiscore25-nanosatellite IoT constellation program with Comat providing deployable antennas, reaction wheels, and solar array drive mechanisms.
- ISIS (ISISPACE Group)core6U satellite platform provider for IOD/IOV mission integrating Comat's Plasma Jet-Pack electric propulsion system.
- U-SpacestrategicSynchrocube project partner receiving Comat reaction wheels and Plasma Jet-Pack thrusters for PNT synchronization nanosatellite platform.
- Venture Orbital SystemsstrategicCollaboration on nano-satellite deployment systems with French nano-launcher developer. Startup workspace partnership at Comat facilities.
- SPADEminorCollaboration on human environments design for space flights and planetary habitats, combining Comat's microgravity equipment expertise with SPADE's psychological factors research.
- Alliance Newspace FrancecoreMember of Alliance Newspace France (28 members), an organization to federate French New Space ecosystem for export and market development.
- Newspace FactorycoreMember of Newspace Factory (12 member companies), commercial organization for accessing markets including export, initiated by Aerospace Valley.
- GIFAScoreMember of Groupement des Industries Françaises Aéronautiques et Spatiales, participating in Industry 4.0 program for manufacturing excellence.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Comat competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace: Norwegian aerospace group manufacturing reaction wheels, star trackers, deployable booms and other satellite subsystems. Comparable to Comat's RW Series and deployable structures, serving ESA and smallsat customers with similar flight-heritage positioning.
- Beyond Gravity (formerly RUAG Space): Swiss-headquartered spacecraft structures and mechanisms manufacturer supplying reaction wheels, SADM-equivalent products, deployable structures and thermal control to European satellite primes and agencies. Closest direct comparable to Comat given overlapping mechanism product portfolios and European aerospace heritage.
- Anywaves: French NewSpace company designing and manufacturing miniature antennas for smallsats and constellations. Comparable to Comat's Deployable Antenna product and shares the Toulouse/France NewSpace ecosystem, French sovereignty positioning, and CNES backing.
- Tesat-Spacecom: German manufacturer of satellite communications equipment and selected mechanisms/components (including deployable antennas) for telecom and EO missions. Comparable to Comat's telecom/observation business line serving European primes.
- Oxford Space Systems: UK-based developer of deployable space structures including mesh antennas, solar arrays, and boom systems. Direct peer in the deployable-structures niche where Comat's NANOBOOM and deployable antenna products compete.
- SENER Aeroespacial: Spanish space mechanisms and equipment supplier (reaction/momentum wheels, SADM, antennas, deployable booms) for ESA and European primes. Direct peer with similar product mix and customer set; competes head-to-head with Comat on European space agency bids.
Emerging players
- AAC Clyde Space: Sweden/UK-based smallsat subsystems provider including reaction wheels, star trackers, and complete CubeSat platforms. Overlaps with Comat's SmallSat business line, particularly for sub-150kg constellation platforms.
Broad incumbents
- Thales Alenia Space: Major European satellite manufacturer that supplies reaction wheels, SADMs and deployable structures both as integrated prime and as equipment supplier. Comparable to Comat's telecom/observation business line, but operates as a multi-decade incumbent.
- Rocket Lab (Sinclair Interplanetary): US launch and space systems company whose Sinclair Interplanetary division supplies reaction wheels and smallsat mechanisms to commercial constellations. Comparable product line to Comat's RW Series, but at greater scale and with US market access that Comat lacks.
- OHB SE: European satellite prime contractor that also produces mechanisms, structures and subsystems for its own and external satellite programs. Comparable as both a customer-adjacent competitor and a buyer of Comat-style mechanism products.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Comat social profiles
Digital presenceComat financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Comat leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles10 records
Comat funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Comat 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 Comat
What does Comat do?
Comat is a French space equipment manufacturer designing and producing flight-qualified mechanisms and subsystems for satellites. Its product portfolio covers reaction wheels for attitude control, solar array drive mechanisms (SADM) for power management, plasma-based electric propulsion (Plasma Jet-Pack), and deployable structures including antennas and masts (NANOBOOM), with full Design-to-MAIT (Manufacture Assembly Integration and Test) services offered to satellite integrators and space agencies.
Is Comat a public or private company?
Comat is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Comat founded?
Comat was founded in 1977. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Comat based?
Comat is headquartered in Flourens, France, in the Europe region.
How does Comat make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Space Equipment Manufacturing is the primary driver. The others are integration and Testing Services and serial Production.
Who are Comat's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace, Beyond Gravity (formerly RUAG Space), Anywaves, Tesat-Spacecom, Oxford Space Systems and SENER Aeroespacial. AAC Clyde Space is listed as an emerging player. Broad incumbents are Thales Alenia Space, Rocket Lab (Sinclair Interplanetary) and OHB SE.
Does Comat have an API?
No public API is recorded for Comat.
What industry is Comat in?
Comat's product category is Space Equipment Manufacturing. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMABACAF, Space Structures, Mechanisms & Thermal Control, with a secondary code of IMABACAB, Spacecraft & Satellites (Civil/Commercial). Its NAICS code is 336414 and its SIC code is 3760.