The Spaceport Company

What The Spaceport Company does

The Spaceport Company, founded in 2022 in Northern Virginia by Tom Marotta, operates mobile sea-based launch infrastructure for small-to-medium launch vehicles and DoD test missions. Its core platform is the M.V. Once in a Lifetime, a 180-foot vessel that in May 2023 conducted the first commercial rocket launches from U.S. territorial waters under FAA and U.S. Coast Guard authorizations. Supporting the vessel are a containerized Telemetry and Tracking Station (TTS) for mobile range safety, the Tri-Sub sub-surface launch platform, and an IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit) tracker for vehicle telemetry. The company has expanded into hypersonic test range services, executing the NRSD-1 mission off Stennis, Mississippi in August 2024 from a new operational base at Port Bienville.

The business model rests on three revenue streams: (i) U.S. Department of Defense contracts for mobile launch and hypersonic test range services, evidenced by a $1.5M DIU NSIC award (June 2023), an AFWERX Phase I SBIR (July 2024), and inclusion in the Golden Dome national missile defense architecture; (ii) commercial launch services sold to small launch vehicle operators including Evolution Space, Vaya Space, and a Letter of Intent with Maritime Launch Services of Canada; and (iii) hardware sales of the TTS and IMU tracker products. Pricing is project-based rather than subscription-based, with revenue tied to individual launches, test campaigns, and hardware deliveries rather than recurring contracts. The company operates with a small team (1-10 employees disclosed) and leverages contractors and partners for vessel operations and mission execution.

Name

The Spaceport Company

Legal name

The Spaceport Authority, Inc.

Website

https://thespaceportcompany.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2022

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Spaceport Company operates mobile sea-based launch platforms and a containerized telemetry and tracking station to provide small-to-medium launch services and DoD hypersonic test range access from any major U.S. port.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Commercial Space Launch Infrastructure

NAICS

Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing (336414), Satellite Telecommunications (51741), Satellite Telecommunications (5174), Support Activities for Water Transportation (4883)

SIC

Guided Missiles & Space Vehicles & Parts (3760), Water Transportation (4400)

akta.pro primary industry

Launch Vehicles & Orbital Rockets (IMABACAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Space Defense & Missile Warning (BPAIAHAF), Space Logistics & In-Orbit Servicing (Refueling, Tug, Debris Removal) (IMABACAM), Offshore Marine & Aviation Support (PSVs, AHTS, Crew Boats, Helicopters) (EUALABAJ)

Keywords

• Mobile sea-based launch
• Offshore spaceport services
• Hypersonic test range
• Maritime launch infrastructure
• Containerized telemetry tracking

Headquarters

HQ city

Northern Virginia

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Sea-Based Launch Infrastructure Services: Providing mobile offshore launch platforms for rocket launches and reentry services. Includes hypersonic test range services, range surveillance, telemetry support, and vehicle preparation at sea for DOD and commercial customers.
2. Missile Test Range Services: Proprietary offshore hypersonic test range providing end-to-end range services including at-sea vehicle preparation, range surveillance, and tracking/telemetry support using marine-grade ground support equipment containers.
3. Telemetry and Tracking Station Sales/Leasing: Containerized tracking and telemetry stations leased or sold to spaceport operators. Maritime Launch Services LOI for lease with options to purchase multiple units for Spaceport Nova Scotia operations.
4. IMU Hardware Sales: Sale of proprietary inertial measurement unit (IMU) tracker product at $495 per unit through company store and Amazon
5. Swag and Merchandise: Branded merchandise including t-shirts, hoodies, caps, and tumblers sold through company store

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Spaceport Company operates mobile sea-based spaceport infrastructure, launching rockets from commercial maritime vessels equipped with proprietary wave-motion compensation, a containerized telemetry and tracking station, and marine-grade ground support equipment. The company delivers missile test range services, offshore hypersonic test range operations, orbital launch infrastructure, and specialized fabrication, while also leasing/selling its containerized tracking stations to other spaceport operators and selling its proprietary Inertial Measurement Unit hardware.

Product overview

The Spaceport Company offers a unified portfolio of mobile sea-based launch infrastructure solutions, centered on proprietary vessels and containerized ground support systems. The core offering includes the M.V. Once in a Lifetime vessel (a 180-foot former Navy ship with blast-reinforced flight deck) serving as the primary missile test range and launch platform, complemented by the Telemetry and Tracking Station (TTS) for containerized communications and S-band tracking. The company also sells an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) component. Services span missile test range operations, specialized fabrication, and orbital launch infrastructure, with proprietary wave-motion compensation technology enabling reliable offshore operations. All solutions leverage the company's marine-grade ground support equipment containers and are designed for rapid deployment from any major port.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Missile Test Range Services Operational missile test range capabilities delivered from specialized launch ships, providing range surveillance, telemetry support, and vehicle preparation services at sea for U.S. defense customers.
• Offshore Hypersonic Test Range Services End-to-end offshore hypersonic test range services including at-sea vehicle preparation, range surveillance/clearing, and tracking/telemetry support provided by proprietary marine-grade ground support equipment containers.
• Orbital Launch Infrastructure Services Mobile sea-based spaceport capabilities designed for orbital class launches, featuring proprietary wave-motion compensation technology and scalable vessel-based launch platforms for commercial launch providers and government customers.
• Specialized Fabrication Services Engineering and fabrication services for launch pad infrastructure, ground support equipment, and custom marine systems, delivered from facilities in Merritt Island, Florida.
• Telemetry and Tracking Station (TTS) Containerized high-bandwidth communications node and S-band ground tracking and telemetry receiver station designed to operate from ships or remote land-based locations; leverages Starlink and Inmarsat, fully truck transportable. Sold or leased to spaceport operators and other customers.
• Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) Tracker Internally developed 3D accelerometer and 3D gyroscope-based motion tracker with RTC-backed timekeeping, SD card data storage, and user-rechargeable Li-ion battery; sold direct via company store and Amazon at $495 per unit.
• Tri-Sub Mobile Sea-Based Launch Platform Unique semi-submersible mobile sea-based launch pad and ground station solution featuring stabilization technology; lowers legs to anchor on the seafloor and lifts out of the water for stable launch operations as a cost-effective alternative to traditional ship-based platforms.

Quantifiable outcome

• Established offshore hypersonic test range from concept to operational in less than 7 months
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) / AFWERXcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 July 2024Selected for SBIR Phase I contract focused on sea-based launch to address challenges in Department of the Air Force. AFWERX is innovation arm of DAF accelerating small business innovation.
• Defense Innovation Unit (DIU)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 May 2024DIU awarded contract to The Spaceport Company as first award under Novel Responsive Space Delivery (NRSD) project to demonstrate mobile sea-based launch capabilities for responsive cargo delivery to orbit. DIU is office within U.S. Department of Defense strengthening national security by accelerating commercial technology adoption.
• Maritime Launch Services Inc.majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 April 2024Letter of Intent to lease containerized tracking and telemetry station (TTS) from TSC for inaugural orbital launch from Spaceport Nova Scotia, Canada with options to purchase multiple units. Provides on-site and downrange support for launch operations.
• Evolution SpacecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 May 2023Partnership for rocket launches from sea-based platform. Evolution Space provided sounding rockets for 2023 proof-of-concept campaign (4 successful launches) and medium surface-launched interceptor for NRSD-1 hypersonic test mission in August 2024. Vehicle provider and launch partner.
• Vaya SpacemajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 April 2023Partnership for orbital launch operations commencing Q1 2025. Vaya Space is vortex-hybrid rocket company; their platforms will complement existing launch sites guaranteeing pad access for Vaya customers. Hybrid propulsion technology suited for offshore launch with lower insurance premiums and reduced logistics complexity.
• Virginia Space / Mid-Atlantic Regional SpaceportminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMemorandum of understanding to study how TSC's sea-based platforms could augment existing launch facilities at Wallops Island. Potential to expand launch capacity at regional spaceport.
• Golden Dome AlliancemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProud member of alliance selected by U.S. Government to help build Golden Dome missile defense shield to protect America from missile attacks. TSC contributing sea-based launch infrastructure for missile defense related technology.
• HavocAIminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUnmanned surface vessels used to clear area for sea-based rocket launch operations. Three HavocAI Rampage USVs teamed with crewed vessels for launch prep process.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Maritime Launch Services: Canadian spaceport operator developing Spaceport Nova Scotia for orbital launches. Directly comparable as a peer/new-build commercial spaceport; TSC has signed an LOI to provide containerized TTS units for Maritime Launch's inaugural orbital flight, making them both collaborator and category competitor.
• Virgin Orbit: Operated air-launch-to-orbit using modified 747s (Cosmic Girl), demonstrating the non-traditional launch platform thesis. Comparable as a peer pursuing launch from non-fixed infrastructure, though now in restructuring; illustrates both the opportunity and execution risk in the category.
• Sea Launch (S7 Group / Sea Launch AG): Historical sea-based launch service using the Odyssey platform in the Pacific. TSC's Steve Thelin was Sea Launch's architect/Mission Director, and the company is effectively reviving the sea-launch category for a new era — closest direct precedent for the business model.

Broad incumbents

• Rocket Lab: Operates dedicated launch sites (Wallops LC-2, Mahia) and is building Neutron. Relevant as a mid-size incumbent competing for the same responsive-launch and small-sat customer base TSC serves with its sea-based pad.
• SpaceX: Dominant U.S. orbital launch provider operating fixed and offshore platforms (Starbase, drone ASDS landings). Several TSC team members (Denholm, M. Ringer, J. Ringer) are SpaceX alumni; SpaceX sets the operational benchmark TSC must compete against and is the source of much of the launch-cadence demand TSC is targeting.
• Lockheed Martin: Major defense prime with hypersonic, missile defense, and space launch programs. Listed as a TSC customer/partner and a comparable buyer of mobile launch infrastructure for Golden Dome and hypersonic test campaigns.
• Blue Origin: Operates Launch Site One in Texas for New Shepard/New Glenn. Broad incumbent in commercial launch with substantial government/defense work, comparable customer base (DoD/NASA) to TSC.

Emerging players

• Relativity Space: Builds 3D-printed rockets (Terran R) and operates from Cape Canaveral. Comparable as an emerging launch provider that TSC could serve as an alternative launch site customer.
• Astra Space: Small-launch company where CEO Tom Marotta obtained the first Part 450 license and built a launch pad. Directly comparable as a peer launch startup and through its founder's lineage; Astra's struggles also illustrate execution risk in the small-launch category.
• Evolution Space: Solid rocket motor and launch provider that has flown 4 sounding rockets and the NRSD-1 hypersonic interceptor with TSC. Direct launch partner and a comparable early-stage player pursuing defense and commercial launch.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/TheSpaceportCo
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-spaceport-company

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

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 The Spaceport Company