Led · Grant · Apr 2026

Aspect Aerospace designs Single-Board Satellites (SBS), spacecraft integrated onto a printed circuit board that carry sensing, communications, and power systems in a very small form factor. Its initial sensor is a proprietary time-domain impedance probe (TDIP) that takes near-instantaneous point measurements of plasma, enabling three-dimensional, high-resolution mapping of the VLEO environment. Individual SBS units are designed to last about six months in VLEO and a host spacecraft roughly the size of a dormitory fridge could carry up to 100 units for on-demand or batch deployment. The company validated its space-weather sensor on Jagsat-1, a 2U cubesat deployed in 2022, and reported additional suborbital tests and independent validation by the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory. Aspect Aerospace plans to deploy an SBS mission by early 2027 and is using current funding—a $1.9M Space Force SBIR award and a $500K pre-seed from SOSV—to build a flight-ready prototype within 18 months. The firm is also pursuing partnerships to expand the SBS architecture to host other instruments such as magnetometers, infrared spectrometers, and radiation sensors.

Led · Grant · Mar 2025

Gravitics develops large-format, standardized orbital infrastructure and logistics solutions intended to support cargo transport and in-orbit operations. Its programs include Orbital Carrier and Viper OTX, which aim to provide pre-deployed, on-demand transportation capabilities for military, government, and commercial operators. The company holds a STRATFI contract with the U.S. Space Force and is pursuing commercial partnerships in low Earth orbit logistics. Gravitics plans to expand its architecture by adding return-capability innovations such as the proposed Multiple-Downmass Hangar to enable more frequent, predictable downmass services. The firm's immediate activities include a six-month NASA SBIR Phase I study to assess the feasibility and technical requirements of that hangar concept. The article does not provide revenue, user, or valuation metrics.

Led · Grant · Apr 2024

Portal Space Systems is developing solar thermal propulsion engines that concentrate sunlight to heat propellant and enable higher-thrust, high-impulse maneuvers in orbit. Its Hex thruster integrates a combined solar concentrator and nozzle and the company cites advances in additive manufacturing and materials science as enablers. Portal has demonstrated flight electronics on a recent shakedown mission and plans an additional prototype launch in October, with a full engine demonstration on its SuperNova spacecraft targeted for 2027. The company highlights military demand for rapid orbital maneuvering and has received $45 million in strategic U.S. military funding alongside prior private capital. Financially, Portal raised a $50 million Series A at a $250 million valuation in 2024, supplementing earlier private raises. Founded in 2021, the company is led by Jeff Thornburg with co-founders Ian Vorbach and Prashaanth Ravindran.