Thousands of new startups are founded every year, despite considerable disruptions and challenges to the global economy. To introduce you to emerging technologies and startups in the SpaceTech sector, we analyzed a total of 885 global SpaceTech startups & scaleups.
Global Startup Heat Map reveals 5 SpaceTech Startups You Should Watch in 2021
Out of 885, the 5 SpaceTech startups to watch this year are chosen through the Big Data & Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered StartUs Insights Discovery Platform, covering over 1.3 million startups & scaleups globally. The platform gives you the most exhaustive collection of solutions and ensures you continuously discover new startups, scaleups, and technologies. This enables you to easily scout for SpaceTech technologies and startups that matter to you and drive innovation in your industry forward.
The Global Startup Heat Map below highlights the 5 SpaceTech startups you should watch in 2021 as well as the geo-distribution of the other 880 startups & scaleups we analyzed for this research. The 5 highlighted SpaceTech startups are hand-picked based on our data-driven startup scouting approach, taking into account factors such as location, founding year, relevance of technology, and funding, among others.
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Zero Gravity leverages SpaceTech Data
Satellites collect large amounts of optical, thermal, and radar data about chemical, physical, and biological systems on Earth. It helps companies to understand global trends and planetary changes. With new technologies, there have been improvements in the recency and resolution of space tech data. Startups are leveraging satellite data for use cases in urban development, forestry, maritime, renewable energy, and agriculture.
Zero Gravity is a Finnish startup developing SpaceTech data technologies. The startup’s product, UrbanAI, utilizes satellite imagery to create a digital twin of a city. By analyzing earth observation data, the startup provides valuable insights for different sectors. It enables applications in land utilization, autonomous mobility, and assessment of environmental impact.
Phantom Space develops Launch Vehicles
As more companies offer satellite-based solutions, there is an upsurge in the demand for launch vehicles to put satellites in orbits. Space tech startups and companies alike are developing a range of launch vehicles to meet the needs of small and big satellite operators. To tackle the carbon footprint of the industry, startups are also switching to greener propellants for launch vehicles.
US-based startup Phantom Space develops Phantom Daytona-E, a launch vehicle. It is capable of ferrying multiple satellites to the low earth orbit (LEO). The launch vehicle utilizes a liquid oxygen and kerosene (LOX/RP-1) propellant. The startup’s small launch vehicle reduces costs and speeds up development. Phantom Space also offers satellite systems, high-efficiency plasma thrusters, and green propellant systems.
Epic Aerospace builds Space Tugs
Small satellites often share rides with bigger and more expensive satellites that dictate when and where satellites are ferried to. This is inconvenient for small satellite operators who have to wait for a mission that goes to the orbit they want to place their satellites in. Space tugs are small, autonomous vehicles that carry satellites from their drop-off location to the orbit they need to be at. This allows small satellite operators to pick any mission to go to space and use space tugs to switch orbits there.
Epic Aerospace is a US-based startup that builds space tugs. The startup’s Chimera line of spacecraft combines the capabilities of rockets and satellites. It uses chemical propulsion to transfer cargo across different orbits. Starting with the low-earth orbit (LEO), the startup is also developing in-space reuse solutions and large exploration campaigns on the Moon.
Spacians develops Space Power Station
After space satellites reach end-of-life, most of them just stay in orbit, contributing to space debris. The increasing amount of space debris poses a risk to future space missions. Space-based solar initiatives seek to produce energy in space. By increasing the lifespan of space probes, these solutions aim to reduce satellite costs. Moreover, space-based solar energy is more efficient because of the longer and more intense availability of sunlight.
Indian startup Spacians develops a space power station. The startup builds Solar Thermoelectric Generator and Advanced Flywheel Energy Storage Technology to generate and store electricity, respectively. The power station utilizes an efficient electromagnetic wireless technology to transmit electricity to space probes. The startup is also developing a constellation of Space Powered Atmospheric Satellite (SPAS) satellites.
Sfera Technologies offers a Decentralized Ground Station
In recent years, there has been an upsurge in the number of companies looking to utilize space services for communication, energy, asset monitoring, and other applications. However, infrastructure costs still remain a barrier to many startups. SpaceTech startups are working on decentralized infrastructure solutions to facilitate applications in space. For instance, different startups can utilize geospatial data shared over a decentralized network for their needs.
Bulgarian startup Sfera Technologies offers a decentralized ground station solution. HomePort uses blockchain and smart contracts to provide accountability and encryption for secure data delivery. It enables instant access to ground stations, providing users complete control over their resources. The solution connects satellite operators with the ground infrastructure required to run their missions. It works with stations in any band and analyzes metadata and telemetry to obtain critical insights.
Discover all 885 SpaceTech Startups
The 885 SpaceTech startups are only a small sample of what we identified during our research. Explore our free Industry Innovation Reports for a broad overview of the industry or get in touch for quick & exhaustive research on the latest technologies and emerging solutions that will soon impact your company.
