Heavens-Above GmbH

Name

Heavens-Above GmbH

Legal name

Heavens-Above GmbH

Website

https://heavens-above.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Heavens-Above GmbH is a Munich-based, privately held space-software company (founded 1999, 5 employees) that builds groundstation operations software displaying live telemetry in mission control rooms for space agencies and satellite operators, and also operates a long-running amateur astronomy website.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Groundstation Operations Software

NAICS

Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing (336414)

SIC

Services-Prepackaged Software (7372)

akta.pro primary industry

Spacecraft Avionics, Flight Computers & Software (IMABACAI)

akta.pro secondary industry

Spacecraft & Satellites (Civil/Commercial) (IMABACAB)

Keywords

• Groundstation operations software
• Satellite telemetry display
• Mission control software
• Satellite prediction tracking
• Space industry software

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels1 record

Core offering

Heavens-Above GmbH develops software products for the space industry, primarily targeting groundstation operations. Its software displays live telemetry in mission control rooms, supporting both manned and unmanned satellite missions during launch and maintenance phases. The company additionally operates heavens-above.com, one of the longest-running websites dedicated to satellite predictions and amateur astronomy.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Groundstation Operations Software Software that displays live telemetry in mission control rooms, supporting both manned and unmanned satellite missions during launch and maintenance phases. Targeted at space agencies, satellite operators, and mission control centers.
• Heavens-Above.com A long-running website dedicated to satellite predictions and amateur astronomy. It serves enthusiasts and the broader public by providing tracking and visibility information for satellites.

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• DLR (German Aerospace Center)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with German Aerospace Center on various satellite missions including TerraSAR-X, TanDEM-X, Columbus, and other DLR-operated missions.
• EUMETSATcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with European Organisation for the Exploitation of Satellite Systems supporting Meteosat Third Generation, Sentinel-3, Jason-3, Meteosat Second Generation, and Metop missions.
• EutelsatcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with Eutelsat satellite operator supporting Hotbird-10 and KaSAT missions.
• NASA JPL (Jet Propulsion Laboratory)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory on satellite missions.
• European UnioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with European Union on space-related initiatives and missions.
• Sky and TelescopeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCollaboration with astronomy publication for amateur astronomy and satellite prediction content.
• CelestisminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership with Celestis for space-related services and content.

Scale indicators1 record

Direct peers

• Atlas Space Operations: Atlas Space Operations provides ground-station-as-a-service and mission operations software for commercial and government satellite operators. Directly comparable to Heavens-Above's groundstation telemetry and mission control offering, though Atlas is a US-based, venture-backed scale-up.
• RBC Signals: RBC Signals offers ground-station-as-a-service and real-time telemetry and command software for satellite operators. Overlaps directly with Heavens-Above's live telemetry display and mission control capabilities.
• Leaf Space: Leaf Space operates a global ground station network and provides ground-segment services and mission operations software for smallsat operators. Highly comparable business model focused on telemetry, tracking, and command across multiple missions.
• N2YO.com: N2YO.com operates one of the most popular real-time satellite tracking and prediction websites, directly comparable to heavens-above.com in functionality and audience (amateur satellite trackers and astronomy enthusiasts).

Emerging players

• SatNOGS (Libre Space Foundation): SatNOGS is an open-source satellite ground station and mission operations network. Provides overlapping satellite tracking, prediction, and groundstation capabilities with a community-driven, open-source model that could compete with Heavens-Above's consumer-facing prediction website.

Broad incumbents

• GMV: GMV is a leading European space software provider specializing in ground systems, mission control, navigation, and satellite operations software. Heavily overlaps with Heavens-Above's mission control and groundstation product line, with a much broader portfolio and footprint.
• Kratos Defense & Security Solutions: Kratos provides ground-segment products (e.g., the Compass family of mission control software) used by military and commercial satellite operators. Closest large incumbent peer in groundstation and mission-control software.
• KSAT (Kongsberg Satellite Services): KSAT is one of the world's leading commercial ground station network operators, providing ground-segment services and software for both government and commercial missions. A much larger incumbent in the same space-ground segment as Heavens-Above.
• Swedish Space Corporation (SSC): SSC provides ground-station services, satellite operations, and launch services globally. Operates one of the largest commercial ground networks, comparable in function to Heavens-Above's groundstation software focus but at much larger scale.
• Viasat: Viasat is a major satellite communications operator with internal ground-system capabilities and serves government and commercial customers comparable to those supported by Heavens-Above. Broader portfolio but overlapping operational scope.

Market position

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/heavens-above-gmbh

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 Heavens-Above GmbH