Astranis is a satellite manufacturer in San Francisco, building small geostationary communications satellites. They’ve raised over $750 million and landed contracts worth more than $1 billion for a dozen MicroGEO satellites.
Astranis Space Technologies Corp. focuses on dedicated communications satellites for broadband. Their home base is Historic Pier 70 in San Francisco.
The team builds small, affordable telecommunications satellites. These satellites bring internet to remote and underserved places around the world.
They’ve pulled in more than $750 million from investors. Over 400 engineers and builders work at their California headquarters.
In December 2024, Astranis launched its first Block 2 mission, “From One to Many.” This mission marked the first real-world deployment of their advanced satellite tech on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.
Astranis wants to deliver broadband connectivity from high orbits, and they’re aiming for the hardest-to-reach corners of the planet.
The main product, MicroGEO, sits in geostationary orbit. One satellite can serve an entire country or big commercial partners.
They have five satellites up and running right now. Astranis holds service contracts for 12 MicroGEO satellites, totaling over $1 billion.
Astranis also works with government agencies. They’ve signed contracts with Space Force and NASA for science, navigation, timing, and communications missions in medium and geostationary orbits.
More than 400 engineers and builders make up the Astranis team. Everyone works out of the company’s headquarters at Historic Pier 70.
Their engineers focus on building small satellites that can handle radiation and more than just basic communication.
The leadership team has secured partnerships with big government agencies. They’re working with Space Force, NASA, and others on specialized missions.
Recently, the team hit a milestone: four GEO satellites passed their initial commissioning tests. All four started using electric propulsion systems to reach their final positions in geostationary orbit.
Astranis has built small satellites made just for geostationary orbit, blending a compact footprint with full operational chops. These MicroGEO satellites use radiation-hardened electronics and software-defined radio systems for flexible missions.
MicroGEO satellites break away from the old, bulky geostationary designs. Astranis keeps things small but still delivers full broadband in geostationary orbit.
Each MicroGEO satellite has its own propulsion system for orbital maneuvering. Operators can move these satellites between positions during their lifetime.
This mobility means Astranis can shift assets as customer needs change.
The UtilitySat platform shows off MicroGEO’s multi-mission ability. It operates across Ka, Ku, and Q/V frequency bands at the same time.
This design supports several missions in a single deployment.
Looking ahead, the Omega satellite will offer over 50 Gbps of dedicated throughput. It’ll keep the compact MicroGEO form while packing in much more capacity.
Software-defined radio (SDR) sits at the heart of MicroGEO’s flexibility. The SDR system processes 7 GHz of bandwidth at once.
Operators can reallocate power and bandwidth on the fly—no need to touch the hardware.
Astranis built the satellites to move and maneuver as needed, thanks to continuous propulsion. They’ve already proven multiple orbital relocations using onboard fuel.
These propulsion systems keep the satellites operational and repositionable for years.
MicroGEO satellites can get quick mission updates through software. Operators can shift coverage areas daily, monthly, or whenever the mission calls for it.
This agility helps both commercial and defense users.
The small satellite size slashes launch costs but keeps performance strong. Astranis can launch several MicroGEO satellites together, saving even more on deployment.
Astranis builds all MicroGEO electronics with radiation hardening for geostationary orbit. These satellites work in high-radiation zones where regular electronics just wouldn’t last.
MicroGEO satellites have survived multiple solar storms. Astranis hardware keeps working without any noticeable degradation after facing space radiation.
The Arcturus satellite, launched in 2023 as the first MicroGEO, proved the company’s radiation-hardening strategy. Every MicroGEO since then has kept a flawless operational record in the tough GEO environment.
Astranis tests components under simulated space conditions before integration. Each satellite goes through heavy ground testing to ensure radiation tolerance.
This way, Astranis can trust their satellites to operate reliably for the whole mission in geostationary orbit.
GEO satellites hang out 22,236 miles above the equator, and that’s a game-changer for communications. Providers get steady coverage and reliable connections that moving constellations just can’t match.
Geostationary satellites orbit at the same speed as Earth’s rotation. This keeps them fixed above one spot.
At 22,236 miles up, they sit in what’s called the Clarke Belt. That distance lets them complete an orbit in exactly 24 hours.
Old-school GEO satellites are huge—several tons—and cost hundreds of millions. Astranis, on the other hand, builds GEO satellites under 1,000 pounds.
Smaller satellites mean lower launch costs, but they keep the essential features.
Each GEO satellite covers about a third of Earth’s surface from its spot. With just three satellites, you can almost blanket the globe—minus the poles.
Because the satellites stay put, ground antennas don’t have to track them. Users just point at the right spot in the sky and they’re set.
Geostationary orbit gives continuous coverage over chosen regions. Ground stations always have line-of-sight to their satellite.
Astranis satellites show how modern GEO platforms can deliver 50+ Gbps of dedicated throughput per satellite. That’s enough for thousands of broadband connections, even in remote places.
With GEO, there’s no need for handoffs between satellites. Constellations have to juggle complex switches as satellites move, but GEO satellites skip that headache.
Ground infrastructure stays simple. Antennas point at one spot instead of tracking multiple targets, which cuts down on complexity and maintenance.
Latency is predictable—about 250 milliseconds round-trip for communications through one GEO satellite.
Military and emergency services really value this reliability. When constant communication is critical, GEO satellites deliver.
At 22,236 miles up, geostationary satellites face real signal strength challenges. Radio waves have to travel nearly 45,000 miles round-trip.
Satellites need more transmit power, which adds complexity and energy demands. Ground stations also need bigger antennas and stronger transmitters than with lower orbits.
Radiation is a big issue at geostationary altitude, thanks to Earth’s radiation belts. Satellite electronics need special shielding to survive solar storms and cosmic rays.
Astranis tackles this with radiation-hardened electronics that can take the punishment. Their satellites have handled multiple solar storms without missing a beat.
Launching to GEO costs a lot more than to low Earth orbit. Rockets have to go much farther, which limits launch options and bumps up mission expenses.
Satellites at GEO can’t be serviced with today’s tech. Once they’re out there, no repairs or upgrades—just software updates and built-in redundancy.
Orbital debris is another headache. There are only so many prime slots, and more operators keep launching satellites, crowding the GEO belt.
Astranis delivers broadband services using small GEO satellites for remote areas and government missions. They rely on software-defined radio tech to juggle bandwidth across several frequency bands.
Astranis runs dedicated satellites for specific customers around the globe. Each MicroGEO satellite targets a particular region or customer.
The UtilitySat platform works across Ka, Ku, and Q/V bands. This satellite can shift between orbital locations to meet changing demands.
Two Astranis satellites now provide connectivity for Anuvu over the US. NuView Alpha and NuView Bravo entered service in 2024 after reaching GEO.
The upcoming Omega satellite will push over 50 Gbps of throughput per satellite. That’s a major step up in capacity while sticking with the small, cost-saving design.
Astranis supports both government and commercial missions. The Space Force picked Astranis to build next-gen GPS satellites, called Nexus.
Remote and underserved areas get online through Astranis satellites in high orbit. The company focuses on places where building traditional internet just isn’t practical or affordable.
Small satellites are cheaper to make and launch than the big legacy ones. That lets Astranis serve smaller markets that bigger operators might overlook.
The Pacific region benefits from Astranis coverage through partnerships like Pacific Dataport. These connections give islands and far-flung communities access to high-speed internet.
Astranis satellites can move in orbit thanks to their onboard propulsion. This flexibility helps the company shift capacity where it’s needed most.
Software-defined radio lets operators tweak bandwidth in real time across 7 GHz of spectrum. They can move power and capacity between coverage areas as demand shifts.
The satellites use radiation-hardened electronics, so they keep working through solar storms and rough space weather.
Customers can pick from multiple frequency bands for different services. Ka-band is great for high-capacity consumer broadband, while Ku-band handles more traditional satellite uses.
Onboard propulsion stretches satellite life and allows for orbital changes. Satellites can serve several missions over their lifetime instead of staying put.
Astranis runs three main satellite programs that highlight what they can do with small GEO satellites and specialized communications. The UtilitySat missions bring commercial broadband to remote regions. The Omega program focuses on government applications, while Nexus develops resilient GPS tech for national security.
Astranis made a name for itself with its UtilitySat missions, bringing broadband internet to underserved regions. They use small geostationary satellites for this, relying on their MicroGEO satellite platform, which honestly costs way less than those massive, traditional satellites.
The UtilitySat program focuses on specific geographic markets and gives each area its own dedicated satellite coverage. Each one can deliver up to 7.5 Gbps of capacity to remote places still struggling with poor internet.
Operational challenges have popped up along the way. Satellite failures delayed service to customers at times. Still, Astranis keeps pushing forward, expanding the UtilitySat constellation to reach Alaska, the Philippines, and other regions that badly need affordable satellite internet.
These missions really highlight Astranis’s whole philosophy: build smaller, more affordable satellites for targeted coverage instead of aiming for global networks.
The Omega program marks Astranis’s move into government and national security satellite services. They’ve taken the commercial MicroGEO platform and customized it for specialized government needs.
Omega missions offer secure communications for government agencies and military operations. Astranis brings its experience with small geostationary satellites to meet tougher security and reliability standards.
The company designed Omega satellites to give government customers cost-effective, dedicated satellite capacity. These missions stick to geostationary orbit and focus on specific operational needs.
Astranis likes to call Omega a bridge between commercial satellite tech and government missions. This way, government customers can tap into modern satellite capabilities without paying the sky-high costs of traditional military programs.
Astranis Nexus is their ticket into the U.S. Space Force’s Resilient GPS program. The goal? Create backup navigation capabilities for national security. The Space Force picked Astranis as one of four contractors in September 2024 to help develop next-gen GPS satellites.
The Resilient GPS program tackles vulnerabilities in today’s GPS constellation. They’re deploying smaller, more distributed satellites that can resist jamming and spoofing. Astranis’s Nexus design uses software-defined radio hardware to transmit GPS signals right from geostationary orbit.
In January 2025, Astranis hit a milestone early, showing off a critical demonstration. They transmitted core GPS waveforms and proved compatibility with existing GPS receivers. This test confirmed that the Nexus design works with current GPS equipment—no pricey upgrades needed.
The Space Force wants to launch the first eight Resilient GPS satellites by 2028. Astranis’s Nexus satellites will run alongside traditional GPS satellites, giving military and civilian users extra navigation coverage.
Astranis relies on proprietary software-defined radio tech that manages 7 GHz of simultaneous bandwidth across multiple frequency bands. This system lets them tweak power distribution and signal allocation in real time—no need to change out hardware.
Astranis builds its software-defined radio systems from scratch, using advanced digital signal processing. They’ve tested and validated this hardware on five operational satellites since 2023.
The SDR payload covers Ka, Ku, and Q/V frequency bands. It creates thousands of independent channels that operators can route as needed. So, one satellite can handle a bunch of different missions, no new hardware launches required.
Flight-proven components power the system. The same radio tech that manages broadband also transmits GPS waveforms for military use. Astranis even demonstrated this at their San Francisco headquarters, using actual flight hardware.
Their Octane Software-Defined Radio platform runs positioning and navigation algorithms directly in software. That means no need for unique hardware for every new mission.
The SDR system shifts bandwidth and power instantly when needs change. Operators can reprogram frequencies, tweak beam coverage, and adjust signal strength from ground control.
This proves super useful for multi-mission satellites like UtilitySat. The same spacecraft can deliver broadband one day and military comms the next. Ground controllers just upload new software.
Spectral efficiency gets a boost from smart channel management. The system maximizes data throughput by automatically tuning signal parameters. It keeps an eye on network traffic and redistributes resources to avoid bottlenecks.
The technology supports government waveforms, including the Protected Tactical Waveform for military users. These secure communications come with anti-jam capabilities that standard commercial waveforms just don’t have.
Astranis has built strong partnerships with major government agencies to deliver secure satellite communications and back critical missions. They work directly with the U.S. Space Force on tactical communications and team up with NASA for science projects.
Astranis grabbed a $13.2 million contract with Space Systems Command to boost tactical satellite communications for the Department of Defense and Space Force. The project aims to keep warfighters, sensors, and weapons systems connected, even in tough environments.
They use the Arcturus satellite to show off secure, end-to-end communications from San Francisco to Alaska. This demo really shows how nimble the MicroGEO system is compared to the old-school approach, which usually drags on for years.
Space Force picked Astranis tech to make communications more resilient in tricky scenarios. The satellites deliver beyond-line-of-sight connectivity for military operations where regular comms just don’t cut it.
This partnership addresses rising worries about space security. Recent cyberattacks on satellites have made it clear: we need more secure, flexible networks for national defense.
NASA has tapped Astranis for specialized missions supporting science research and exploration. The agency appreciates the value of smaller, more flexible satellites for certain research projects.
Astranis satellites provide dedicated comms links for NASA science missions. These partnerships show how commercial satellite tech can help government research move forward.
The collaboration goes beyond basic comms and includes specialized payload configurations. NASA gets the benefit of shorter development times and a more budget-friendly approach compared to traditional satellite programs.
Astranis teams up with several government partners to back scientific missions in higher orbits. Their radiation-tolerant satellites perform well in challenging space environments, where science gear needs reliable comms.
Government science missions use the Software-Defined Radio technology Astranis developed. This flexibility lets satellites adapt to new mission needs without hardware swaps.
The company provides positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) services for different government applications. These services support critical infrastructure and research that relies on precise timing and location.
Astranis satellites currently run missions for government customers around the world—places like the United States, Mexico, Argentina, the Philippines, and Thailand.
Astranis landed a prime contractor role in the U.S. Space Force’s Resilient GPS program. They’re developing backup satellites to protect America’s critical positioning infrastructure. The company is working with Xona Space Systems to build small, affordable satellites that can resist jamming and provide secure military signals.
The U.S. Space Force started the Resilient GPS program to counter growing threats to America’s positioning systems. Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall launched this effort to create backup systems for the current GPS constellation.
Astranis scored an $8 million contract as one of four companies chosen for the Lite Evolving Augmented Proliferation program. The Space Force also picked Axient, L3 Harris, and Sierra Space.
The plan is to launch the first eight resilient GPS satellites by 2028. This tight timeline shows just how urgent the military’s need for secure positioning has become.
Astranis uses its proven MicroGEO satellite design for the job. They’ve adapted the platform to carry GPS payloads in geostationary orbit.
The Space Force wants to eventually put up more than 20 small GPS satellites. These new spacecraft will give the traditional GPS constellation some extra backup.
Astranis works with Xona Space Systems to develop positioning, navigation, and timing algorithms for the resilient GPS satellites. Xona supplies the specialized software that runs right on Astranis hardware.
The satellites use Astranis Octane Software-Defined Radio technology. Operators can update GPS signals and functions through software—no need for hardware changes.
These spacecraft broadcast the latest GPS signal formats, including military M-Code transmissions. M-Code delivers encrypted positioning data for authorized military users.
The satellites fly in geostationary orbit, unlike the medium Earth orbit used by traditional GPS satellites. This gives the positioning network some extra geographic diversity.
Astranis successfully demonstrated core GPS signal transmission at its San Francisco headquarters. The test used flight-ready hardware and Xona’s algorithms to prove the system works.
The resilient GPS satellites deliver assured performance in contested regions where adversaries try to jam positioning signals. These spacecraft stand up to electronic warfare attacks that threaten regular GPS satellites.
Because the satellites are small and distributed, it’s much harder for enemies to take out the whole constellation. They’d have to go after a bunch of targets instead of just a few big ones.
The M-Code signals these satellites transmit use advanced encryption and anti-jamming tech. Military receivers can tell real GPS signals apart from hostile interference or spoofing.
Software-defined radio technology lets operators react to new threats quickly. Engineers can upload new signal patterns or frequencies—no need to launch new satellites.
The backup constellation provides redundant positioning sources in different orbital planes. If some satellites go down, others keep the navigation data flowing to military forces.
Astranis runs its MicroGEO satellites using dedicated Falcon 9 launches and relies on electric propulsion for precise orbital moves. They keep satellites in geostationary orbit, 35,786 kilometers above Earth, where they deliver broadband for years with advanced on-orbit systems.
Astranis partners with SpaceX for dedicated Falcon 9 launches, sending up multiple satellites at once. On December 30, 2024, they launched four MicroGEO satellites in a single mission—a first for any commercial manufacturer sending that many of its own satellites to GEO at once.
These launches serve customers in different regions. The December 2024 mission sent satellites to clients in the Philippines, Mexico, and the U.S. Astranis has already lined up another Falcon 9 launch for five more MicroGEO satellites later in 2025.
Astranis satellites serve customers like Thaicom in Thailand and APCO in Mexico. This deployment approach lets the company scale up way faster than traditional GEO operators. The fleet is set to grow from one satellite in 2023 to ten by the end of 2025.
The Arcturus satellite, launched in 2023, finished its initial demonstration missions for commercial and government customers before moving on to full operational service.
Astranis satellites use electric propulsion to reach their final GEO spots after launch. The four satellites launched in December 2024 wrapped up commissioning by January 10 and started raising their orbits using these propulsion systems.
Electric propulsion enables precise positioning and station-keeping in GEO. This tech helps satellites hold their exact orbital slots while using less fuel than chemical propulsion.
The Arcturus satellite shows off this mobility by relocating to new positions. It recently moved over central Asia under a contract with Spacecom for a “Bring into Use” mission. This flexibility lets Astranis reposition satellites based on what customers need and where the market’s headed.
Astranis puts each satellite through a hands-on commissioning phase before it enters full service. The December 2024 satellites cleared early testing and should start service by summer 2025, once they finish their orbit raise maneuvers.
Right now, the company runs five MicroGEO satellites at the same time. That’s no small feat—they juggle multiple spacecraft in different spots around the planet. Each satellite beams broadband data for years and stays in touch with ground control.
UtilitySat is Astranis’s next-gen satellite design. There’s already one UtilitySat up and running, and more are on the way. The team is also working on Omega satellites, aiming for better performance than what’s out there in geostationary orbit.
Astranis keeps its satellites healthy through constant monitoring and on-orbit tweaks using electric propulsion. This strategy helps stretch the satellites’ lifespans and keeps broadband running smoothly for folks everywhere.
Astranis grows its business by teaming up with telecommunications companies and striking strategic partnerships with governments and enterprises. They mostly serve small and medium-sized countries but are edging into big commercial markets alongside established telcos.
Astranis works closely with telecom providers to bring satellite internet to places that really need it. They joined forces with Pacific Dataport and managed to triple Alaska’s satellite internet capacity with a dedicated Ka-band satellite launched back in April 2023.
Aitelecom and APCO Networks teamed up with Astranis to roll out managed services across Mexico. ST Engineering iDirect also pitches in with ground infrastructure.
Orbits Philippines signed up for a fully-managed service from Astranis. Orbits handles customer relationships, while Astranis takes care of satellite operations and keeps the connectivity backbone humming. It really shows how Astranis prefers to support existing telecoms instead of competing head-on.
Astranis handles satellite manufacturing and operations. Their partners deal with local customers and regulatory stuff in each market.
Astranis offers bandwidth leasing that’s pretty flexible—customers can lease anything from a few MHz to full connectivity services. They provide dedicated satellite capacity without making customers buy or run the satellites themselves.
Their MicroGEO satellites can cover whole countries or regions with a single launch. That’s a different approach from the usual shared-capacity models. Customers get guaranteed bandwidth and performance, not just a slice of whatever’s available.
UtilitySat-1 launched as a multi-mission platform for short-term needs. It supports Ku, Ka, and Q/V bands for up to a year—handy for bridging gaps, tech demos, or disaster recovery.
Astranis aims at Fortune 500 companies, satellite operators, and government clients. The leasing model keeps upfront costs low compared to buying your own satellite.
Astranis targets small and medium countries that can’t afford giant satellites but still need solid internet. These markets often get overlooked, but they still want dedicated, reliable coverage.
Their satellites already serve customers from the Philippines to the US. They plan to launch six more satellites soon to widen their reach. Each one brings high-speed internet to a specific region.
Both defense and commercial customers use Astranis’s services. This dual focus helps them keep steady revenue—government contracts offer stability, while commercial deals fuel growth.
Astranis teams up with ground network partners to set up local infrastructure. This way, they can enter new markets fast without building everything from scratch. Partners like ST Engineering iDirect bring in the tech and know-how.
Astranis wants to launch 100 satellites by 2030. They’re also working on bigger, more capable spacecraft for better global connectivity. They’ve locked in several SpaceX contracts and are rolling out new satellite designs that could shake up the geostationary market.
Astranis really isn’t holding back with its launch schedule. They’ve got another SpaceX Falcon 9 launch lined up for five more MicroGEO satellites in 2025.
Four satellites that launched recently have finished their first round of tests and are using electric propulsion to reach geostationary orbit. These Block 2 satellites mark Astranis’s first operational deployment after their “From One to Many” mission in December 2024.
They’ve also got contracts with Space Force, NASA, and other government partners for different missions. Astranis plans to launch more GEO satellites during this period than anyone else in the industry.
The Utility-Sat constellation aims to deliver bridge services, disaster recovery, and network backup for customers around the world.
Astranis rolled out big improvements for its 2026 satellites. The Omega generation will be half again as large as the current MicroGEOs and offer five times the throughput.
Even with these upgrades, Astranis keeps its satellites smaller than the traditional geostationary ones. The new design includes advanced radiation protection for longer, safer high-orbit missions.
MicroGEO satellites still form the backbone of Astranis’s broadband services. They focus on dedicated connectivity, not the shared bandwidth model others use.
Their engineers are deep into electric propulsion and autonomous satellite operations. These features help cut launch costs and boost positioning accuracy in orbit.
Astranis goes head-to-head with big names like Starlink. Their geostationary model offers steady coverage without needing a swarm of satellites.
They’re on a mission to help everyone get reliable internet. Current projects include broadband for the Philippines and other places that really need it.
Their $1.2 billion backlog covers orders for 14 satellites. That’s a strong signal that the market wants dedicated satellite capacity over shared networks.
Astranis’s government partnerships go beyond just broadband—they’re working on GPS resilience, communications, and science missions too. Space Force contracts focus on next-gen positioning and timing for national security.
Astranis runs on a different business model—smaller, more affordable satellites. The company has landed some big funding rounds and faces tough competition from Starlink in the satellite internet space.
Astranis builds small geostationary satellites focused on specific regions, not global networks. That keeps manufacturing and deployment costs down compared to the big traditional satellites.
They partner with governments and telecoms to bring internet service to places that need it. Astranis owns and runs the satellites, while customers just pay for the bandwidth.
Their satellites are way cheaper to build and launch than the old-school geostationary kind. This lets Astranis offer competitive prices and still make a good profit.
Astranis satellites sit in geostationary orbit, so yeah, there’s more latency than with low Earth orbit constellations like Starlink. But by focusing on certain regions, they can deliver consistent speeds where it counts.
Their smaller satellites target bandwidth where it’s needed most. This focused approach helps avoid the network slowdowns that plague some satellite services.
Astranis aims to provide basic broadband speeds—enough for essential internet use. They’re not trying to compete with fiber, just to get people online where there’s nothing else.
Astranis developed their own software-defined radio tech, making satellites more flexible and affordable. They can even reprogram satellites after launch to meet new demands.
They’ve shifted from prototypes to full commercial deployment. Their manufacturing process now focuses on standardization and fast production.
Recent upgrades include better power systems and more efficient antennas. These tweaks let small satellites punch above their weight, performance-wise.
Carlos Keeler leads Astranis as CEO. He co-founded the company in 2015 with a goal: make satellite internet affordable and accessible.
Keeler’s got a background in aerospace engineering, with experience in satellite tech and space systems. He’s steered Astranis through fundraising and the shift from startup to commercial operator.
Under his leadership, Astranis has landed contracts with both government and commercial clients.
Astranis uses geostationary satellites that sit 22,000 miles above Earth. Starlink, on the other hand, runs thousands of satellites in low Earth orbit. That difference shapes how each company delivers coverage.
Astranis focuses on regional service. Each satellite serves a specific area, so they can tailor solutions for each country or region.
Their satellites are smaller and cheaper than traditional geostationary ones, but bigger than Starlink’s. This puts Astranis in a sweet spot for cost and coverage.
They mostly work with local telecoms and governments, not directly with consumers. Starlink sells straight to users, but Astranis prefers to go through established partners.
Astranis wrapped up its Series D funding round on July 24, 2024. Over the years, the company brought in 54 investors.
Recent reports put their current revenue at $102.6 million. That’s a pretty big leap compared to their early funding days.
They’re using the new funds to ramp up satellite manufacturing and get more launches off the ground. With this capital, Astranis can scale production and add to their satellite constellation.
PWV/RedwoodJS and Uncorrelated Ventures, along with several other venture capital firms, joined as investment partners. These backers don’t just bring money—they also share valuable industry expertise to help the company grow.
