Rapidity Space
Rapidity Space is a Swedish space-sector engineering services firm offering onboard satellite software, FPGA development, project management, and export compliance support to European space agencies, research institutes, and commercial space companies.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2022
- HeadquartersUppsala, Sweden
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Rapidity Space does
Rapidity Space is a privately held engineering services firm headquartered in Uppsala, Sweden, that delivers software engineering, FPGA development, project management, and export compliance support exclusively to space-sector clients. The company was founded in 2022 and operates with a small, senior team led by CEO Mattias Örth and CTO Emil Nordling, drawing on what the company describes as 107+ combined years of space technology experience. Its customer base centers on the European institutional and prime-contractor space ecosystem, including the European Space Agency, the Swedish Institute of Space Physics, Frontgrade Gaisler, Luleå University of Technology, and the Swedish National Space Agency as both a client and a funder.
The company's technical work spans onboard satellite software (C/C++, RTEMS, LEON3FT, Spacewire, CCSDS, ECSS/PUS), high-performance FPGA logic designs, and emerging AI-enabled onboard computing on AMD Versal adaptive SoCs. Notable R&D engagements include Project VORTEX, an ESA-selected initiative developing compiler-centric programming for AI Engines in Versal devices; the ANSWER project, which builds Rust-based autonomous navigation for Lunar rovers on radiation-tolerant GR740 processors; and flight software delivery for the Ramses Plasma Spectrometer on ESA's Ramses mission to asteroid Apophis. The company has publicly disclosed 12+ delivered projects and reports 100% customer satisfaction.
Commercially, Rapidity Space generates revenue through project-based professional services engagements, with pricing determined via direct client consultation and no publicly disclosed rate cards. The go-to-market motion is direct enterprise sales targeting European space organizations, supported by a content-led website, LinkedIn presence, and team-facing video content; there is no channel or reseller distribution. The firm holds no disclosed patents, awards, or external funding rounds, and its ownership structure is not publicly documented beyond the executive team.
Rapidity Space firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Rapidity Space
- Legal name
- Rapidity Space
- Website
- https://rapidity-space.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2022
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Rapidity Space is a Swedish space-sector engineering services firm offering onboard satellite software, FPGA development, project management, and export compliance support to European space agencies, research institutes, and commercial space companies.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Rapidity Space industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Space Engineering Services
- NAICS
- Computer Systems Design and Related Services (54151)
- SIC
- Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370), Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Spacecraft Avionics, Flight Computers & Software (IMABACAI)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Guidance, Navigation & Control (GNC) for Space Systems (IMABACAG), Space Payloads & Instruments (Sensors, Comms, EO/IR) (IMABACAD)
Keywords
Where Rapidity Space is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Uppsala
- HQ country
- Sweden
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Rapidity Space business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Engineering Services: Project-based professional services delivering custom software engineering, FPGA development, project management, and export compliance guidance to space sector clients. Revenue is generated through consulting engagements and long-term project collaborations with space agencies and companies.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels4 records
Rapidity Space product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Rapidity Space is a space-sector engineering services firm that delivers customized onboard satellite software, ground system software, real-time operating systems, FPGA logic designs, project management, and export compliance guidance to European space agencies, research institutes, and commercial space companies. The firm works alongside clients from initial concept to final delivery, applying deep specialization in mission-critical embedded systems and AI-enabled on-board computing for satellites and space instruments.
Product overview
Rapidity Space is an engineering services company offering four integrated service lines: Software Engineering, FPGA Development, Project Management, and Export Compliance. These services work together to provide end-to-end support for space missions — from initial concept through final delivery. Software Engineering covers onboard satellite software, ground systems, and real-time operating systems; FPGA Development provides high-performance logic designs for hardware acceleration and signal processing; Project Management oversees ESA and commercial space projects; and Export Compliance ensures secure global operations.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Software Engineering Services
Quantifiable outcome
- 100% Satisfied Customers - all clients report satisfaction with delivered outcomes
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Rapidity Space
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Rapidity Space technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability8 records
Feature5 records
Rapidity Space partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- European Space Agency (ESA)coreRapidity Space was selected by ESA to lead Project VORTEX (Unlocking High-Level Space Application Programming of the AI Engines in Versal-Class On-Board Computing). The research initiative explores compiler-centric approaches for high-level software development targeting AI Engines in AMD Versal adaptive devices for AI-enabled spacecraft applications. Rapidity Space also develops flight software for instruments on ESA's Ramses mission to asteroid Apophis.
- Swedish Institute of Space Physics (IRF)coreCollaboration with IRF to develop the flight software for the Ramses Plasma Spectrometer (RPS) instrument onboard ESA's Ramses mission to asteroid Apophis. Rapidity Space is responsible for delivering embedded flight software managing telecommand handling, telemetry generation, operational logic, and real-time control of the instrument's electronics.
- VinterstellarminorPartnership to advance next-generation space mission analysis and planning software. Rapidity Space provides software engineering expertise to support Vinterstellar's innovative orbit control software, including low-thrust orbit raising, station-keeping, and mission optimization capabilities.
- Frontgrade GaislercoreCollaboration with Frontgrade Gaisler to evaluate and demonstrate SIMD capabilities of the GR765 multi-processor SoC platform. Rapidity Space develops benchmarks and demonstrators showcasing SIMD acceleration for AI and data-parallel workloads in space applications. Also collaborated in the VAIAS project. Frontgrade Gaisler is a world leader in embedded computer systems for space and harsh environments.
- Luleå University of Technology (LTU) - Robotics and AI TeamcorePartnership to develop cutting-edge autonomous navigation software for Lunar rovers. Funded by the Swedish National Space Agency, the collaboration combines Rapidity Space's engineering expertise with LTU's academic leadership. Part of the ANSWER project (Autonomous Navigation Software for Exploration Rovers) developing path planning algorithms in Rust for space robotics.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Rapidity Space competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- Leaf Space: Leaf Space is an Italian space company providing ground segment as-a-service and mission control software for smallsat operators and constellation customers, with growing onboard software capabilities. It is an emerging-player peer to Rapidity Space in the European smallsat software and mission-operations market.
- Bright Ascension: Bright Ascension is a UK-based space software company providing mission control, onboard software, and simulation tools for smallsat and constellation operators. It is comparable to Rapidity Space as a Europe-based specialist in spacecraft flight and ground software for smallsat and emerging-space missions.
Direct peers
- GMV: GMV is a Spanish-headquartered technology group with one of the largest European space software engineering practices, providing onboard software, GNC, mission analysis, and AI-enabled space systems for ESA, EUMETSAT, and major primes. It is a direct peer to Rapidity Space in the European space software engineering services market, with significantly larger scale.
- HE Space Operations: HE Space Operations is a European space engineering services and recruitment firm supplying embedded software, FPGA, and systems engineering talent to ESA and the European space industry. It is a direct peer to Rapidity Space in providing specialist spacecraft software and FPGA engineering services to European space agencies and primes.
- Aurora Technology: Aurora Technology is a European space engineering services firm that delivers onsite engineering support and project management to ESA, ESAC, and ESTEC, with deep expertise in mission operations and flight software. It is a direct peer to Rapidity Space as a smaller specialist space engineering services provider embedded in the ESA contractor ecosystem.
- CS Group: CS Group is a French space and defense systems engineering firm providing embedded software, mission-critical systems, GNC, and FPGA design for ESA, CNES, and the European space industry. It is a direct peer to Rapidity Space in delivering safety-critical spacecraft software, FPGA development, and systems engineering to European space customers.
Broad incumbents
- Beyond Gravity (formerly RUAG Space): Beyond Gravity is a Switzerland-based supplier of space structures, mechanisms, electronics, and on-board computer subsystems to ESA and commercial satellite primes. It is a broad incumbent peer to Rapidity Space, often co-located on the same European missions and competing for adjacent onboard software and avionics work.
- OHB: OHB is a major European space systems prime with operations across satellites, launch, and space-institutional services, including in-house avionics and onboard software teams. It is a broad incumbent peer to Rapidity Space, frequently acting as a prime contractor on the very ESA programs where Rapidity provides flight software.
- CGI Space (formerly SciSys): CGI's UK Space division, built on the acquisition of SciSys, is a long-established supplier of mission-critical space software, ground systems, and autonomy solutions to ESA, EUMETSAT, and UK Space Agency. It is a broad incumbent peer to Rapidity Space in European space software engineering services, with a much larger headcount and framework-contract footprint.
Regional players
- Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace: Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace is a Norwegian defense and space systems supplier with significant Nordic space activities, including satellite subsystems and ground software for European missions. It is a regional peer to Rapidity Space in the Nordic/European space engineering services and subsystems market.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat2 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Rapidity Space social profiles
Digital presenceRapidity Space compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Rapidity Space financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Rapidity Space leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
Rapidity Space funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Rapidity Space 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 Rapidity Space
What does Rapidity Space do?
Rapidity Space is a space-sector engineering services firm that delivers customized onboard satellite software, ground system software, real-time operating systems, FPGA logic designs, project management, and export compliance guidance to European space agencies, research institutes, and commercial space companies. The firm works alongside clients from initial concept to final delivery, applying deep specialization in mission-critical embedded systems and AI-enabled on-board computing for satellites and space instruments.
Is Rapidity Space a public or private company?
Rapidity Space is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Rapidity Space founded?
Rapidity Space was founded in 2022. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Rapidity Space based?
Rapidity Space is headquartered in Uppsala, Sweden, in the Europe region.
How does Rapidity Space make money?
One revenue line is on record: engineering Services.
Who are Rapidity Space's main competitors?
Emerging players on record are Leaf Space and Bright Ascension. Direct peers are GMV, HE Space Operations, Aurora Technology and CS Group. Broad incumbents are Beyond Gravity (formerly RUAG Space), OHB and CGI Space (formerly SciSys). Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace is listed as a regional player.
Does Rapidity Space have an API?
No public API is recorded for Rapidity Space.
What industry is Rapidity Space in?
Rapidity Space's product category is Space Engineering Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMABACAI, Spacecraft Avionics, Flight Computers & Software, with a secondary code of IMABACAG, Guidance, Navigation & Control (GNC) for Space Systems. Its NAICS code is 54151 and its SIC code is 7370.