In this piece, we will take a look at five VLEO technology stocks and startups to watch. For more VLEO companies, head on over to 10 VLEO Technology Stocks and Startups to Watch.
5. The Aerospace Corporation
Latest Valuation/Funding Estimate: $2.5 million
The Aerospace Corporation is a non-profit research and development corporation based in El Segundo, California. The organization was set up in the 1960s as part of an Air Force effort. It has received millions of dollars in funding to date and is a federally funded space research enterprise. The Aerospace Corporation is also conducting research on VLEO spacecraft, focusing on air breathing propulsion systems to enable the spacecraft to maintain altitude and attitude in a dense orbital profile.
4. Earth Observant
Latest Valuation/Funding Estimate: $11 million
Earth Observant is an American company based in Louisville, Colorado. The firm is seeking to use the benefits of VLEO orbits to develop imaging spacecraft. Its satellites are designed to stay in orbit for five years, run imaging computations onboard, and use a propulsion system developed in partnership with the Air Force. Earth Observant is also relatively further ahead in the development cycle compared to other firms on our list as it has signed an agreement with SpaceX to launch its VLEO Stingray satellites starting as soon as in 2024. The Stingray satellite constellation will be made of sixty spacecraft, and the first six are planned for launch next year.
3. Albedo Space
Latest Valuation/Funding Estimate: $58 million
Albedo Space is based in Denver, Colorado. The firm is developing advanced Earth imaging satellites that will also be capable of thermal imaging to serve the needs of a variety of industries such as agriculture and national security. The satellites will fly in the VLEO and be capable of 10 centimeters of resolution per pixel. Albedo completed a breakthrough $48 million funding round in September 2022 that saw the firm garner interest from a variety of ventures such as Bill Gates’s Breakthrough Energy Ventures.
2. QinetiQ Group plc (LON:QQ.L)
Latest Valuation/Funding Estimate: $2.7 billion (1GBP = 1.26USD)
QinetiQ Group plc (LON:QQ.L) is a British firm based in Farnborough, the United Kingdom. The firm has partnered up with Thales Alenia to develop altitude and orbital control technologies for the Skimsat VLEO small satellite demonstrator spacecraft. The pair has already received funding from the European Space Agency (ESA) to study the concepts. QinetiQ Group plc (LON:QQ.L) also provides defense and aviation products.
1. Space Exploration Technologies Corporation (SpaceX)
Latest Valuation/Funding Estimate: $137 billion
SpaceX is a household name these days due to its Falcon 9 rocket lineup which has made landing a rocket seem as easy as a drive to the grocery store. The firm is aiming to use VLEO for its second generation Starlink satellites, as part of a network of thousands of spacecraft to provide global internet coverage.
Disclosure: None. You can also take a look at 11 Best Coal Mining Stocks to Buy Today and 12 Most Advanced Countries in Biotechnology.
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