Astranis

Astranis Space Technologies Corp., doing business as Astranis, is a private American geostationary communications satellite operator and manufacturer headquartered in San Francisco, California. It was founded by chief executive officer John Gedmark and Chief Technical Officer Ryan McLinko.

Astranis Space Technologies Corp.
Astranis
TypePrivate
IndustrySatellite Internet
FoundedOctober 20, 2015 (2015-10-20)
FoundersJohn Gedmark and Ryan McLinko
Headquarters
San Francisco, California
Key people
ProductsSmall geostationary communications satellites
Number of employees
250+ (2023)
Websitewww.astranis.com

In 2018, Astranis launched DemoSat-2, a prototype 3U cubesat to test the company's Software-Defined Radio (SDR) technology for its larger communications satellites.[1]

Astranis came out of stealth mode with their March 2018 announcement of a $13.5 million fundraising round to support their development of smaller geostationary communications satellites led by Andreessen Horowitz.,[2] marking the firm's first investment in a space company.[3]

In January 2019, Astranis announced their first commercial program, a partnership with Pacific Dataport, Inc. to triple the satellite internet capacity of Alaska.[4] The 350 kg satellite was successfully launched on April 30, 2023 onboard a Falcon Heavy along with ViaSat 3 Americas and Gravity Space's GS-1.[5] It is roughly an order of magnitude smaller than existing geostationary satellites.[6][7]

Astranis has raised over $350 million in venture capital and venture debt financing from Andreessen Horowitz, Venrock, BlackRock, and other investors. The company was part of the Winter 2016 cohort of the Y Combinator accelerator.[8]

Demonstration Satellite

On January 12, 2018, Astranis flew its first satellite, “DemoSat 2,” on an Indian PSLV-XL rocket. DemoSat 2 was a 3U cubesat (10 cm x 10 cm x 30 cm; less than 3 kg) that held an Astranis-built Software-Defined Radio (SDR) as its primary payload.[1][9][10]

Partnership with Pacific Dataport

Astranis announced a partnership with Pacific Dataport, Inc., a subsidiary of Microcom, Alaska's largest satellite TV provider, on January 16, 2019.[11] The mission of this partnership is to launch a geostationary communications satellite dedicated to Alaska. This first satellite, named Arcturus, had an original anticipated launch date of early 2022[12][13] but was delayed to April 2023. Following launch and vehicle separation, Astranis publicly confirmed communication with the satellite along with successful hardware deployments and battery charging.[14]

Funding

Astranis has raised over $350 million in venture financing.[15] They closed an $13.5 million Series A equity investment led by Andreessen Horowitz on March 1, 2018, and a $90 million Series B investment on February 13, 2020 led by Venrock and with continued participation from Andreessen Horowitz.[16] The Series B financing included $40 million of equity financing and $50 million of debt financing.[17] Astranis also raised a $250 million Series C financing round led by BlackRock in 2021.[18] Astranis was part of the Winter 2016 cohort of the Y Combinator accelerator.

References
  1. "DemoSat 2". space.skyrocket.de.
  2. https://www.boldbusiness.com/digital/astranis-space-tech-to-provide-internet-access/; https://www.fastcompany.com/40537215/this-startup-astranis-says-it-has-the-most-efficient-plan-ever-for-bringing-broadband-to-billions; https://www.wired.com/story/can-these-small-satellites-solve-the-riddle-of-internet-from-space/; https://venturebeat.com/2018/03/01/andreessen-horowitz-leads-18-million-investment-in-satellite-startup-astranis/; https://fortune.com/2018/03/01/term-sheet-thursday-march-1/; https://www.businessinsider.com/astranis-raises-135-million-from-andreessen-horowitz-2018-3; https://www.geekwire.com/2018/13-5m-boost-astranis-unveils-big-plans-beam-internet-small-satellites/
  3. https://qz.com/1220073/astranis-andreesen-horowitzs-first-space-investment-is-an-internet-satellite/; https://www.forbes.com/sites/alexknapp/2018/03/01/andreessen-horowitz-makes-its-first-space-investment-with-satellite-startup-astranis/#f40da4e7c3fa
  4. https://spacenews.com/astranis-lands-anchor-customer-for-its-first-small-geo-satellite/; https://www.geekwire.com/2019/astranis-pacific-dataport-team-satellite-broadband-access-alaska/; https://www.alaskajournal.com/2019-01-16/microcom-founder-launches-new-satellite-broadband-project
  5. "Astranis and Infinite Orbits Confirm Success on ViaSat-3 Launch". satellitetoday.com. May 1, 2023.
  6. "Astranis lands anchor customer for its first small GEO satellite". SpaceNews.com. January 16, 2019.
  7. "ViaSat 3 Americas, Asia, EMEA". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 2020-09-22.
  8. "Y Combinator Companies". www.ycombinator.com.
  9. "TechCrunch is now a part of Verizon Media".
  10. "Startup plans to provide broadband using small GEO satellites". March 2018.
  11. Brehmer, Elwood (16 January 2019). "Microcom founder launches new satellite broadband project". Alaska Journal of Commerce. Retrieved 10 June 2021.
  12. "Application for Fixed Satellite Service by Astranis Bermuda Ltd. - Attachment Narrative" (PDF). Astranis Bermuda. FCC. 7 June 2021. Retrieved 10 June 2021.
  13. Sheetz, Michael (14 April 2021). "Astranis, with a new approach to satellite internet, raises $250 million from BlackRock and others". CNBC. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
  14. @Astranis (May 1, 2023). "Arcturus Status" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  15. Sheetz, Michael (2021-04-14). "Astranis, with a new approach to satellite internet, raises $250 million from BlackRock and others". CNBC. Retrieved 2021-06-15.
  16. https://www.wsj.com/articles/astranis-raises-capital-as-it-readies-first-commercial-satellite-launch-11581639044; https://satelliteprome.com/news/microsatellite-startup-astranis-raises-90m-to-power-internet-connectivity/; https://www.venturecapitaljournal.com/venrock-leads-90-mn-round-for-astranis/; https://techcrunch.com/2020/02/13/astranis-raises-90-million-for-its-next-gen-satellite-broadband-internet-service/; http://www.parabolicarc.com/2020/02/13/astranis-raises-90-million-round-led-by-venrock/; https://satnews.com/story.php?number=1571670765; https://www.satellitetoday.com/business/2020/02/13/microsatellite-startup-astranis-raises-90m-led-by-venrock/; https://www.law360.com/telecom/articles/1243834/internet-satellite-co-says-90m-will-help-it-launch-into-space
  17. https://spacenews.com/astranis-raises-90-million-in-debt-and-equity-ahead-of-first-launch/; https://pitchbook.com/newsletter/astranis-raises-90m-for-satellite-internet-in-alaska; https://smallsatnews.com/2020/02/13/90-million-for-astranis-to-support-the-launch-of-the-companys-first-satellite/
  18. Sheetz, Michael (2021-04-14). "Astranis, with a new approach to satellite internet, raises $250 million from BlackRock and others". CNBC. Retrieved 2021-06-15.
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