Space DOTs develops SKY-I, a software platform (backed by its own payload hardware) that generates proprietary in-orbit environmental data and fuses it with external sources for real-time attribution, nowcasting, and forecasting of orbital threats. The company owns both its hardware and software and says its decentralized software design improves resilience and scalability for future cislunar and multi-orbit operations. Space DOTs focuses on commercial and defense customers and on threats rather than only forecasting or space weather. The startup is already capturing data from its payload and plans additional data from future launches as it readies technology for upcoming space missions. Founder Bianca Cefalo launched the company in 2022 after decades in the industry, including work on NASA’s InSight mission and projects at Airbus Defence and Space. Financially, Space DOTs announced a $1.5M seed round and has now raised $3.2M in total. Space DOTS builds a smartphone-sized payload, the Barnacle DOT, that performs active testing of advanced materials in orbit and can rideshare on a variety of launchers. The Barnacle DOT is modular and scalable and is designed to reach any orbit, enabling testing beyond microgravity. The company has also developed an end-to-end logistical portal to accelerate on-orbit qualification of materials. Space DOTS says its solution reduces the time and expense of bringing materials for space technologies to market and intends to commercialise for the global space industry. The team is led by CEO Bianca Cefalo and CTO James Sheppard-Alden and is already working with customers including specialist materials supplier Goodfellow Cambridge. The company is based in London, UK and recently completed a pre-seed fundraise.

Total raised

$3M

Funding rounds

2

Latest round

Seed

Latest activity

Sep 2025