Extellis designs and plans to operate satellites built to capture high-frequency synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imagery, with the company claiming each satellite can capture thousands of images per day using patented antenna technology developed at Duke University from DARPA-sponsored research. The platform is intended to provide consistent monitoring that works at night and through clouds, smoke and other conditions that limit optical imagery. Extellis targets infrastructure operators and industrial companies—such as pipeline, transportation and energy facility operators—that need frequent, wide-area visibility of distributed assets. The company is preparing a pathfinder mission to test technology and operating capabilities ahead of broader commercial service and is building the infrastructure required to serve industrial customers. Extellis recently expanded its seed financing with investment from Shell Ventures to support the pathfinder mission, team expansion and progress toward commercial operations. The company positions its offering as an alternative to helicopters, ground inspections and optical satellite imagery for more dependable, high-frequency monitoring.

Total raised

$14M

Funding rounds

3

Latest round

Grant

Latest activity

Jul 2026