OurSky
OurSky operates a developer platform and a globally distributed network of over 40 telescopes that provide real-time observational data and analysis of objects in space via REST APIs, serving satellite operators, space domain awareness organizations, government defense agencies, scientific researchers, and space-focused AI developers.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2023
- HeadquartersLos Angeles, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What OurSky does
OurSky (legal entity Astronomy Data Processing Corporation) is a Los Angeles-based startup founded in 2023 by Dan Roelker, formerly VP of Software Engineering at SpaceX, and Alex Hawkinson, founder of SmartThings, with Connor Poole as CTO. The company operates a developer platform that provides programmatic, real-time access to observational data on objects and activities in space. Underlying the platform is a globally distributed network of more than 40 telescopes across 20 locations, combined with serverless data pipelines and edge compute that reduce event latency to seconds. The platform targets satellite operators, space domain awareness organizations, government defense agencies, scientific researchers, and space-focused AI developers, with documented use cases ranging from on-orbit asset tracking to uncorrelated object detection and AI model training on the imagery catalog.
The product is delivered as REST APIs with a Python SDK and a web-based console, accessed through four subscription tiers: Trial at $100/month, Starter at $2,500/month, Advanced at $5,000/month, and Enterprise under volume pricing with custom SLAs and optional dedicated nodes. The platform has progressed through three documented releases since the December 2023 seed close: an initial launch, v1.1 in March 2024 adding private target registration, J2000 surveys, and LVLH search patterns, and v1.2 in May 2024 adding uncorrelated track events, RIC volumetric searches, and orbital plane scans. Distribution combines self-serve developer onboarding with enterprise direct sales for government and satellite operator customers, and an ecosystem strategy anchored by integrations with NINA (50,000+ users), Siril, and partnerships with Celestron, PlaneWave, the Planetary Science Institute, Carnegie Mellon University, and the Center for Software-Defined Space.
The company has disclosed $9.5 million in seed funding (December 2023) led by Upfront Ventures and Venrex Investment Management with Oceans Ventures, Marlinspike Partners, and Embedded Ventures, and is positioned as part of the a16z Space Market Map and the 2023 LA Hard Tech 50. Headcount is small (firmographic count of 8 with approximately 17 team members listed on the website), no revenue has been disclosed, and the customer base is described at the segment rather than logo level, indicating the company is in an early commercialization phase with enterprise pipeline building around space domain awareness and national defense.
OurSky firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- OurSky
- Legal name
- Astronomy Data Processing Corporation
- Website
- https://oursky.ai
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2023
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- OurSky operates a developer platform and a globally distributed network of over 40 telescopes that provide real-time observational data and analysis of objects in space via REST APIs, serving satellite operators, space domain awareness organizations, government defense agencies, scientific researchers, and space-focused AI developers.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
OurSky industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Space Data and Domain Awareness Software
- NAICS
- Satellite Telecommunications (5174), Computer Systems Design and Related Services (54151)
- SIC
- Communications Services, Nec (4899), Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Satellite Ground Segment & Gateway Services (Teleports, Gateways, Ground Station-as-a-Service) (HDAIAJAH)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Satellite Network Operations & Capacity Services (NOC, Capacity Leasing, Managed Payload Services) (HDAIAJAI), AI Server Systems & HGX/Accelerator Platforms (HDAAAAAB)
Keywords
Where OurSky is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Los Angeles
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
OurSky business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- SaaS Subscription Tiers: Tiered subscription model with four levels: Trial ($100/month, 2 targets/night), Starter ($2,500/month, 5 targets/night), Advanced ($5,000/month, 10 targets/night), and Enterprise (volume pricing with custom SLAs and dedicated support). Revenue is recurring monthly/annual billing with committed usage discounts available for Enterprise tier.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | Trial tier for developers to explore the platform |
| Subscription | Monthly | Starter tier with prioritized tasking and support |
| Subscription | Monthly | Advanced tier for power users with enhanced tracking capabilities |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Enterprise tier with custom SLAs and dedicated support |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels8 records
OurSky product offering
Product offeringCore offering
OurSky provides a developer platform with REST APIs and SDKs for real-time observational data and analysis of objects and activities in space. The platform coordinates a globally distributed telescope network of over 40 scopes across 20 locations, enabling on-demand tracking with sub-arcsec precision in LEO, MEO, GEO, and cis-lunar orbits. It offers tiered subscription access (Trial to Enterprise) with serverless data pipelines and edge compute for low-latency processing.
Product overview
OurSky is a unified developer platform for space applications consisting of the core OurSky Developer Platform, the OurSky Telescope Network (over 40 globally distributed telescopes), and the OurSky Console interface. The platform provides real-time observational data and analysis of space objects through REST APIs and SDKs. It is offered through tiered subscription plans (Trial at $100/mo, Starter at $2,500/mo, Advanced at $5,000/mo, and Enterprise with custom pricing). Key feature modules include Private Targets for registering non-public satellites, J2000 Survey Instructions for sidereal observations, LVLH Search Patterns for spacecraft-relative searches, Uncorrelated Track detection for unknown object identification, RIC Volumetric Searches for spatial coverage, and Plane Scans for orbital plane surveys.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- OurSky Developer Platform Modern developer platform offering REST APIs, Python SDKs, and webhooks for real-time space observational data and analysis. Coordinates a globally distributed telescope network for tracking objects in LEO, MEO, GEO, and cis-lunar orbits with sub-arcsec precision. Supports TDM and JSON standards.
- OurSky Telescope Network Global network of over 40 telescopes across 20 locations using the most advanced telescopes and cameras available for imaging difficult-to-see objects in space. Enables uninterrupted observations across LEO, MEO, GEO, and cis-lunar orbits under a wide range of viewing conditions.
- OurSky Console Web-based self-serve interface for managing space observation tasks, monitoring targets, and reviewing observation results from the OurSky telescope network. Located at console.prod.oursky.ai.
- OurSky Platform Version 1.1 Version 1.1 release of the OurSky platform introducing Private Targets (organization-restricted satellite registration by TLE), J2000 sidereal survey instructions, LVLH search patterns, and expanded network coverage.
- OurSky Platform Version 1.2 Version 1.2 release of the OurSky platform introducing Uncorrelated Track (UCT) detection for uncatalogued objects, Radial-Intrack-Crosstrack (RIC) volumetric searches around predicted target positions, and Plane Scans for surveying orbital planes including GEO regions and lost satellites.
Quantifiable outcome
- Sub-arcsec precision tracking capability in LEO, MEO, GEO, and cis-lunar orbits
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use OurSky
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
OurSky technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- Yes
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration2 records
AI capability5 records
Feature9 records
OurSky partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- CelestroncoreCelestron is a partner in the OurSky telescope network, providing telescopes for the globally distributed observation network. Celestron manufactures consumer and professional telescopes that are integrated into the OurSky platform.
- PlaneWave InstrumentscorePlaneWave is a partner providing high-quality telescopes for the OurSky network. PlaneWave specializes in robotic telescopes and imaging systems for scientific and professional applications.
- SirilcoreOpen-source astronomy software integration, enabling OurSky users to leverage Siril's image processing capabilities alongside the OurSky platform.
- Planetary Science InstitutecorePSI partnership supporting scientific research applications, providing observatory-grade telescope access for astrometric, photometric, and scientific research.
- Carnegie Mellon University (CMU)corePartnership with CMU's Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering supporting research and development in space technology applications.
- Center for Software-Defined SpacecorePartnership with CMU's Center for Software-Defined Space CPS supporting software-defined space technology research and development.
- N.I.N.A.coreFree integration with NINA (Nighttime Imaging 'N' Astronomy), the most popular open-source astrophotography tool, enabling NINA's 50,000+ users to join OurSky and receive real-time processing of their images.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
OurSky competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- Privateer Space: Privateer Space builds data and analytics products for space situational awareness, focused on tracking orbital debris and satellites. While narrower than OurSky in platform scope, it overlaps in targeting commercial and government SDA customers with API-accessible space data.
- Vyoma Space: Vyoma Space operates optical sensors and provides satellite tracking and space situational awareness data to commercial operators. As a younger European counterpart, it competes with OurSky in the global optical SDA market with a comparable developer/API-first positioning.
- NorthStar Earth & Space: NorthStar Earth & Space is deploying a constellation of optical satellites for space situational awareness and Earth observation, offering commercial SDA services. It overlaps with OurSky on space object tracking and commercial/government SDA use cases.
Broad incumbents
- Northrop Grumman: Northrop Grumman delivers space situational awareness, space surveillance, and satellite tracking solutions to defense and intelligence agencies as part of a much larger aerospace and defense portfolio. It overlaps with OurSky's defense and government SDA use cases but operates at vastly greater scale.
- L3Harris Technologies: L3Harris is a large defense prime contractor providing space domain awareness, space control, and satellite tracking solutions to government customers. While much broader than OurSky, it competes for the same defense and intelligence SDA budgets.
Direct peers
- LeoLabs: LeoLabs operates a global network of phased-array radars for tracking space debris and satellites in LEO, offering commercial space domain awareness and collision avoidance services. It is the closest direct competitor to OurSky's optical telescope network, serving overlapping satellite operator, SDA, and government customer segments.
- Slingshot Aerospace: Slingshot Aerospace combines a global optical sensor network with AI-driven analytics to deliver space domain awareness, space traffic management, and simulation tools. It is highly comparable to OurSky in combining distributed optical infrastructure with AI/ML analytics for SDA, defense, and commercial customers.
- ExoAnalytic Solutions: ExoAnalytic Solutions maintains a global optical telescope network for space domain awareness, providing tracking data for satellites and debris primarily to U.S. government and defense customers. It directly competes with OurSky on optical SDA infrastructure and enterprise/government go-to-market.
Others
- ATLAS Space Operations: ATLAS Space Operations provides Ground Station-as-a-Service for satellite operators, offering global RF ground segment connectivity. While focused on RF rather than optical SDA, it is a comparable developer-friendly platform operator in the broader space data infrastructure market.
Regional players
- Kongsberg Satellite Services: KSAT operates a global network of ground stations and provides satellite communication and Earth observation services, primarily serving European and polar-orbiting customers. While more focused on ground station services than optical SDA, it is relevant as a regional operator with comparable distributed ground infrastructure.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
OurSky social profiles
Digital presenceOurSky financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
OurSky leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
OurSky funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
OurSky 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 OurSky
What does OurSky do?
OurSky provides a developer platform with REST APIs and SDKs for real-time observational data and analysis of objects and activities in space. The platform coordinates a globally distributed telescope network of over 40 scopes across 20 locations, enabling on-demand tracking with sub-arcsec precision in LEO, MEO, GEO, and cis-lunar orbits. It offers tiered subscription access (Trial to Enterprise) with serverless data pipelines and edge compute for low-latency processing.
Is OurSky a public or private company?
OurSky is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was OurSky founded?
OurSky was founded in 2023. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is OurSky based?
OurSky is headquartered in Los Angeles, United States, in the North America region.
How does OurSky make money?
One revenue line is on record: saaS Subscription Tiers.
Who are OurSky's main competitors?
Emerging players on record are Privateer Space, Vyoma Space and NorthStar Earth & Space. Broad incumbents are Northrop Grumman and L3Harris Technologies. Direct peers are LeoLabs, Slingshot Aerospace and ExoAnalytic Solutions. ATLAS Space Operations is listed as an others. Kongsberg Satellite Services is listed as a regional player.
Does OurSky have an API?
Yes. REST API providing programmatic access to real-time space observational data. Allows developers to task the telescope network, submit search and survey instructions, retrieve observation results, manage satellite targets (public and private), query observation windows, and receive webhook notifications for task completion. Supports TDM or JSON standard. Documentation available at api.prod.oursky.ai/docs/sda. Developer documentation is at api.prod.oursky.ai/docs/sda.
What industry is OurSky in?
OurSky's product category is Space Data and Domain Awareness Software. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDAIAJAH, Satellite Ground Segment & Gateway Services (Teleports, Gateways, Ground Station-as-a-Service), with a secondary code of HDAIAJAI, Satellite Network Operations & Capacity Services (NOC, Capacity Leasing, Managed Payload Services). Its NAICS code is 5174 and its SIC code is 4899.