What Kayser Space Ltd does

Kayser Space is a privately held Italian space technology and services company (legal entity: KAYSER ITALIA S.R.L.) founded in 1986 by Valfredo Zolesi and now operating as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the publicly listed Italian conglomerate FAE Technology Group. The company specialises in space-qualified systems engineering for microgravity research and space exploration, organised around two complementary divisions: a Microgravity Services division that delivers end-to-end experiment support from feasibility through in-orbit operations using proprietary bioreactors hosted in ESA facilities (KUBIK on the ISS Columbus module and BioRider aboard the ESA Space Rider platform), and a Technologies division that designs and manufactures space-qualified hardware including Instrument Control Units (ICU), Thruster Pointing and Pressure Regulation Electronics (TPPRE), Power Distribution Units (PDU), DC/DC converters, Lighting Vision Systems, and an extensive life-science equipment portfolio (APHRODITE, IRIS, MIDASS, BIOPACK, BOREALIS, ALCYONE, BESIDES, MFM, HPA).

The company's revenue model combines three streams: (1) hardware sales of space-qualified payloads and subsystems, with more than 150 payloads delivered across over 100 space missions; (2) professional services for microgravity research covering feasibility, hardware development, safety certification, launch preparation, and in-orbit operations; and (3) managed facility services via bioreactor platforms (KEU series) hosted in KUBIK and BioRider. Kayser operates from a 5,000+ sqm headquarters in Livorno, Italy, housing ISO 8 and ISO 5 clean rooms, and a UK subsidiary (Kayser UK Ltd., incorporated September 2015) at the Harwell Campus in Didcot, Oxfordshire, focused on life-science and biotechnology research translation. The customer base is dominated by government space agencies (principally ESA, with NASA and national programmes), with additional engagement from academic research institutions, pharmaceutical/biotech firms exploiting microgravity for drug development and tissue engineering, and emerging commercial space startups. Go-to-market is direct enterprise sales with project-based, quote-driven pricing tied to mission specifications.

Name

Kayser Space Ltd

Legal name

KAYSER ITALIA S.R.L.

Website

https://kayserspace.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1986

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Kayser Space is an Italian-UK space technology company that designs space-qualified hardware (control units, power systems, lighting, bioreactors) and delivers end-to-end microgravity research services to space agencies, research institutions, and biotech firms, with 40+ years of heritage on 100+ space missions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Space Systems Engineering

NAICS

Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing (336414), Other Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing (336419)

SIC

Guided Missiles & Space Vehicles & Parts (3760)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Spacecraft Avionics, Flight Computers & Software (IMABACAI), Space Logistics & In-Orbit Servicing (Refueling, Tug, Debris Removal) (IMABACAM), Spacecraft & Satellites (Civil/Commercial) (IMABACAB)

Keywords

• Space systems engineering
• Microgravity research services
• Space-qualified hardware
• Bioreactor systems
• Satellite payload design

Headquarters

HQ city

Livorno

HQ country

Italy

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Space Hardware and Equipment Sales: Design, development, manufacturing, and sale of space-qualified hardware including payloads, power distribution units, control units, life science equipment, bioreactors, and custom applications. The company has delivered over 150 payloads across more than 100 space missions.
2. Microgravity Research Services: End-to-end services for microgravity experiments including feasibility assessment, mission definition, hardware development, safety certification, launch preparation, and in-orbit operations. Services include integration, upload/download, crew handling, and sample/data analysis.
3. Bioreactor and Facility Services: Proprietary bioreactor technologies and facilities hosting (KUBIK, BioRider) for conducting biological and scientific experiments in microgravity environments.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Kayser Space is a space technology and microgravity research company that designs, develops, manufactures, and operates space-qualified hardware (power distribution units, control units, life science equipment, bioreactors, lighting vision systems) and provides end-to-end mission services for microgravity experiments from feasibility assessment through in-orbit operations. The company serves space agencies, research institutions, and industrial partners across more than 100 space missions.

Product overview

Kayser Space operates as a space technology and services company organized around two complementary divisions: Microgravity Services and Technologies. The Microgravity Services division provides end-to-end services for microgravity research, encompassing experiment design, development, qualification, launch integration, and in-orbit operations through proprietary bioreactors (KEU series) hosted in KUBIK and BioRider facilities. The Technologies division develops space-qualified hardware including Instrument Control Units, Power Distribution Units, DC/DC converters, and the Lighting Vision System, along with Life Science Equipment products (APHRODITE, IRIS, MIDASS, BIOPACK, BOREALIS, ALCYONE, BESIDES, MFM) for human space exploration. Custom Applications capabilities include optical clocks, optical cooling, exposed platforms, conditioned containers, and ultra-high vacuum systems. The company supports missions from concept to orbit across LEO, deep space, and planetary applications.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Life Science Equipment Technologies for human space exploration including physiological monitoring, biosensors, wearable devices, and environmental monitoring systems. Includes products such as APHRODITE (lab-on-chip biosensor), IRIS (wearable dosimeter), MIDASS (airborne pathogen detection), BIOPACK (waste management), BOREALIS (6U CubeSat), ALCYONE (micro-incubator), BESIDES (lab-on-chip analytical platform), and MFM (miniaturized fluorescence microscope).
• Instrument Control Unit (ICU) Core electronic architecture for spaceborne scientific instruments enabling controlled operation of experiments in mission-critical space environments. Integrates power distribution, command handling, data acquisition, and communication interfaces within a space-qualified architecture.
• Thruster Pointing and Pressure Regulation Electronics (TPPRE) Control unit for satellite electrical propulsion sub-system, performing closed-loop control of Xenon valve actuation and thruster positioning for satellite attitude and orbit control in deep space and sample return applications.
• Power Distribution Units (PDU) Space-qualified power distribution units engineered to convert, isolate, and safely distribute electrical power to multiple subsystems and payloads. Includes PPS mk1, PPS mk2, VMU PCU, FLU PDCU, ATFL PDCU, ACLS AFP, and XRF FPW. Proven heritage on ISS Columbus Module and multiple ESA programs.
• DC/DC Converter Units Custom space-qualified DC/DC converters for precise voltage conditioning and generation across space missions. Includes PLATO PSU, TPE and PRE DC/DCs, Ariel PSU, and IRES-C DC/DC. Optimized for radiation tolerance, thermal stability, and wide input ranges.
• Lighting Vision System Illumination system developed for in-orbit servicing applications, composed of autonomous illumination units combining compact mechanical design, radiation-tolerant electronics, and engineered optical performance. Supports robotic servicing, critical interface inspection, docking, and low-light imaging.
• Custom Applications Custom engineering solutions including optical clocks, optical cooling systems, exposed platforms, conditioned containers, custom payloads, autonomous payloads, opto-mechanical assemblies, and ultra-high vacuum systems for space applications.
• Bioreactor Catalogue (KEU Series) Proprietary bioreactors designed for microgravity research to support investigations of biological systems. Includes KEU-MM (small animals), KEU-XE (algae/aquatic metazoa), KEU-RK (microbial biofilm), KEU-OC (bone cells), KEU-Y1/Y2 (non-adherent cells), KEU-AT (seed germination), KEU-BI/BA (bacteria culture), KEU-ST (adherent cells), KEU-GLI (3D suspension culture), KEU-MC/MC2 (3D structures), and KEU-BFL (microbial biofilms).
• KUBIK Facility Operations Operating service for ESA's incubator and cooler permanently installed in the Columbus module of the ISS since 2004. Features a thermal chamber volume of approximately nine litres, operating temperature range of 6°C to 38°C, and an integrated centrifuge with settable gravity level between 0.2g to 2g.
• BioRider Service Facility service for BioRider Express aboard ESA Space Rider platform, providing fast turn-around of Low Earth Orbit experiments.
• BioReactor Express Service Express service for performing scientific and technological experiments through rapid microgravity research turnaround using bioreactor technology.
• End-to-End Microgravity Services Integrated microgravity research support covering hardware development, safety certification, launch preparation, in-orbit operations, and experiment management from feasibility assessment to mission execution.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 100 space missions supported with proven flight heritage
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature11 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• FAE Technology GroupcoreOthersKayser Space is part of FAE Technology, a publicly listed Italian technology group specialized in advanced electronics and industrial innovation. The integration expands Kayser's technological spectrum, strengthening engineering capabilities, innovation capacity, and operational resources. Over 40 years of space experience merges with cross-industry expertise in automotive, electrification, industrial systems, and IoT sectors.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves2 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• SITAEL: SITAEL is an Italian space company that designs and manufactures small satellites, electric propulsion, and space-qualified electronics. Like Kayser Space, it is an Italy-headquartered mid-tier supplier serving ESA and commercial space missions with bespoke avionics, propulsion subsystems, and micro/payload hardware.
• Beyond Gravity (formerly RUAG Space): Beyond Gravity is a Swiss-based supplier of space structures, mechanisms, thermal control, and electronic subsystems for satellites and launchers. Its space-qualified electronics and payload-accommodation offerings directly overlap with Kayser's space-grade power distribution and control units.
• Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace: Kongsberg supplies space-qualified electronics, propulsion, and mechanisms to European and global satellite primes. Its heritage in radiation-tolerant avionics and smallsat subsystems is comparable to Kayser's Instrument Control Units and DC/DC converter offerings.
• SAB Aerospace: SAB Aerospace is a Czech/Italian space hardware specialist that develops structures, mechanisms, and payload-accommodation equipment for ESA and commercial missions. It competes with Kayser in payload integration and bespoke space structures for science and microgravity platforms.
• Bradford Space (formerly Dutch Space): Bradford Space designs and manufactures advanced spacecraft components, propulsion subsystems, and deployable structures. It is comparable to Kayser as a European mid-tier supplier of specialized, flight-proven hardware for science and exploration missions.

Broad incumbents

• OHB System AG: OHB is a leading European space prime that builds complete satellites and spacecraft subsystems for ESA, EU, and commercial customers. Although a much larger prime, OHB operates in adjacent mission-critical space hardware and instrument domains that overlap with Kayser's payload, avionics, and power electronics work.
• Airbus Defence and Space: Airbus D&S is a European space prime building satellites, human spaceflight, and exploration systems for ESA and commercial operators. While much larger and broader than Kayser, it absorbs and competes for similar payload, life-science, and microgravity research work on the ISS and exploration programs.
• Teledyne Technologies (Space Imaging & Defense Electronics): Teledyne supplies space-grade imaging sensors, detectors, and electronics used in Earth-observation and science missions. It operates at far greater scale but overlaps with Kayser's space instrument and avionics work in radiation-hardened electronics for space payloads.

Emerging players

• D-Orbit: D-Orbit is an Italian in-orbit transportation and servicing company with proprietary orbital transfer vehicles. Its in-orbit servicing work intersects with Kayser's Lighting Vision System and thrust-control electronics, making it a partial peer in the in-orbit services and propulsion-control ecosystem.
• Innovative Solutions In Space (ISIS): ISIS is a Dutch CubeSat and smallsat integrator that provides platforms, payload interfaces, and launch services. It is comparable to Kayser as a smaller European specialist supporting academic and commercial microgravity research, with overlap in custom payload integration.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/KayserItalia
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@KayserItalia
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kayser-space-ltd

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Kayser Space Ltd