About Space Tech sector in United States
The Space Tech sector in United States comprises 1.06K companies, including 392 funded companies having collectively raised $55.5B in venture capital money and private equity. Out of these, 249 are Series A+ funded, and 18 have achieved unicorn status.
Space Tech sector in United States has seen 130 acquisitions and 27 IPOs. This represents almost 14.8% of all such companies - which is higher than the 4.0% exit rate of tech companies in general.
This sector includes newspace is an industry in which private companies, startups and entrepreneurs try to build products for Space.
Space Tech sector is also known as Space Technology or New Space.
Companies(non-governmental) which develop spaceflight technologies for commercial space market. Companies developing new launch systems, satellites, spacecrafts, new propulsion systems, new antenna systems, etc. principally with private funding. Also includes companies providing space services such as tourism, satellite communication, imaging, space burial services etc. Government space agencies, companies highly reliant on govt. agencies, defence grants and projects are excluded.
Top Space Tech Companies in United States
There are 1,060 Space Tech startups in United States which include SpaceX, Planet, AST & Science, ViaSat, Terran Orbital. Out of these, 392 startups are funded, with 249 having secured Series A+ funding, and 18 achieving unicorn status.
2026 has seen the creation of 33 Space Tech startups in United States. Over the past 10 years, an average of 53 new companies have been launched annually. Notably, several of these startups have been founded by alumni of Stanford University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and University of California (Berkeley).
Here is the list of top Space Tech startups in United States
1. SpaceX
Provider of advanced aerospace and space transportation services. It delivers advanced launch services using reusable rocket systems designed to transport crew and cargo for missions to orbit, the Moon, Mars, and deep space exploration. It also develops and operates large-scale satellite networks that provide high-speed, low-latency internet connectivity across the globe, including remote and underserved regions. It supports human spaceflight programs aimed at expanding long-duration space exploration and increasing access to space for both commercial and governmental missions.
Key facts about SpaceX
- Founded Year: 2002
- Location: Hawthorne (United States)
- Stage: Public
- Total Funding till date: $11.9B
- Investors: Fidelity Investments, Jetstream Venture Fund and 275 Others
- Latest Funding Round: Series J, Mar 17, 2026, $*****
- Tracxn Score: 83/100 What is this?
- Competitors Rank: 1 of 9 Competitors
2. Planet
Provider of daily satellite imagery and geospatial data analytics services. The organization offers high-frequency imagery, mosaics, on-demand tasking, and analytic feeds. It transforms imagery into insights, providing data for monitoring, change detection, and analysis. The company delivers data products and cloud-based tools, offering solutions across various industries.
Key facts about Planet
- Founded Year: 2010
- Location: San Francisco (United States)
- Stage: Public
- Total Funding till date: $602M
- Investors: DCVC, EDBI and 53 Others
- Latest Funding Round: Post IPO, Sep 12, 2025, $*****
- Tracxn Score: 80/100 What is this?
- Competitors Rank: 1 of 361 Competitors
Provider of satellite-based cellular broadband network services. It provides users with a platform that designs and manufactures miniature satellites for low-Earth orbit. It has multiple features, including accelerated launch times and defence against external threats.
Key facts about AST & Science
- Founded Year: 2017
- Location: Midland (United States)
- Stage: Public
- Total Funding till date: $128M
- Investors: Cisneros, Vodafone and 10 Others
- Latest Funding Round: Post IPO, Feb 07, 2025, $*****
- Tracxn Score: 72/100 What is this?
- Competitors Rank: 1 of 28 Competitors
4. ViaSat
Provider of satellite internet services, solutions, and related communication technologies. The company delivers internet connectivity for home, small business, aviation, energy, and government sectors. It offers satellite internet plans, backup internet, and voice communication services. The company also provides cybersecurity, encryption, and tactical networking solutions. Additionally, it offers antenna systems, real-time earth observation, and managed connectivity.
Key facts about ViaSat
- Founded Year: 1986
- Location: Carlsbad (United States)
- Stage: Public
- Investors: FCC, Europa and 5 Others
- Latest Funding Round: Post IPO, Jul 23, 2020, $*****
- Tracxn Score: 72/100 What is this?
- Competitors Rank: 1 of 288 Competitors
Provider of hardware for satellites. It provides users with a platform that develops a constellation of nano and picosatellites to create a data infrastructure in space. It operates through three business segments, including research, development, and manufacturing. It also provides consulting and manufacturing services to government agencies, commercial companies, and military organizations.
Key facts about Terran Orbital
- Founded Year: 2013
- Location: Irvine (United States)
- Stage: Acquired
- Total Funding till date: $144M
- Investors: Goldman Sachs Investment Partners, Lockheed Martin and 9 Others
- Latest Funding Round: Series C, Oct 31, 2022, $*****
- Tracxn Score: 71/100 What is this?
- Competitors Rank: 2 of 266 Competitors
Companies founded year-on-year in the Space Tech sector in United States
33 new startups have been founded so far in 2026 in the Space Tech sector in United States. 70 Space Tech startups in United States were founded in 2019 - this is the most number of startups founded in any year in the last 10 years.
- Total Number of Companies
Year | No. of companies |
|---|---|
2026 | 33 |
2025 | 46 |
2024 | 62 |
2023 | 57 |
2022 | 56 |
2021 | 59 |
2020 | 57 |
2019 | 70 |
2018 | 48 |
2017 | 43 |
Stage-wise distribution of Space Tech sector companies in United States
Out of the total 1,060 Space Tech companies in United States, 392 have secured funding. Among them, 249 have reached Series A or higher, and 212 to Series B or beyond.
Founded - 1,060
Funded - 392
Series A+ - 249
Series B+ - 212
Series C+ - 183
Company Stage | No. of companies |
|---|---|
Founded | 1,060 |
Funded | 392 |
Series A+ | 249 |
Series B+ | 212 |
Series C+ | 183 |
Let us walk you through our Sectors and other offerings
Designed with precision for VCs, PE, IBs, Incubators, M&A, Innovation more
Designed with precision for VCs, PE, IBs, Incubators, M&A, Innovation more
Funding Trends in the Space Tech sector in United States
Total funding year-on-year in the Space Tech sector in United States
The Space Tech sector in United States saw a total funding of more than $49.5B in the last 10 years. The most amount of funding has been in 2026 at more than $17.6B till date.
- Total Funding
Year | Total Funding |
|---|---|
2026 | $17.6B |
2025 | $6.89B |
2024 | $2.28B |
2023 | $2.85B |
2022 | $5.32B |
2021 | $6.12B |
2020 | $3.65B |
2019 | $1.87B |
2018 | $2.14B |
2017 | $807M |
Recent Funding Rounds in Space Tech in United States
In the year 2026, till September 2026, Space Tech companies in United States have raised $16.8B in equity funding across 59 rounds.
In the same period last year (i.e. till September 2025), Space Tech companies in United States had raised $5.16B across 61 rounds.
So, 2026 has seen a 225.72% rise in funding in Space Tech companies in United States as compared to 2025.
Here are some recent, important funding rounds in Space Tech companies in United States:
Company | Round Raised | Amount Raised | Funding Date | Investors |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Series D | 4301 | Sep 25, 2026 | - | |
Series C | 4921 | Sep 23, 2026 | ||
Series D | 3123 | Sep 17, 2026 | and 5 more | |
Series E | 4714 | Sep 08, 2026 | ||
Series C | 1005 | Sep 07, 2026 |
Top Investors in Space Tech in United States
NASA is the top investor in Space Tech companies in United States based on number of companies invested.
Here are some top investors in Space Tech companies in United States:
Investor | Location | Top Portfolio Companies |
|---|---|---|
Oak Ridge (United States) | ||
Mountain View (United States) | ||
Arlington (United States) | ||
New York City (United States) |
M&A activity in Space Tech sector in United States
In the year 2026, till June 2026, 11 acquisitions happened in Space Tech sector in United States. Last year, in 2025, a total of 11 acquisitions happened in Space Tech sector in United States.
Here are some recent, important acquisitions in Space Tech sector in United States:
Company | Acquisition Type | Acquisition Date | Acquirers |
|---|---|---|---|
Business Acquisition | Jun 19, 2026 | ||
Business Acquisition | Jun 04, 2026 | ||
Business Acquisition | May 19, 2026 | ||
Business Acquisition | May 08, 2026 | ||
Business Acquisition | Mar 23, 2026 |
Acquisition trends in Space Tech sector in United States
Here are the acquisition trends in Space Tech sector in United States:
- Total Number of Acquisitions
Year | No. of companies |
|---|---|
2026 | 11 |
2025 | 11 |
2024 | 12 |
2023 | 13 |
2022 | 10 |
2021 | 16 |
2020 | 19 |
2019 | 9 |
2018 | 6 |
2017 | 8 |
IPOs in Space Tech in United States
In the year 2026, till June 2026, 3 IPOs happened in Space Tech sector in United States.
Here are some recent, important IPOs in Space Tech sector in United States:
Company | IPO Date | Exchange Symbol |
|---|---|---|
Jun 12, 2026 | National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations (NASDAQ) | |
May 07, 2026 | New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) | |
Jan 29, 2026 | New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) | |
Dec 18, 2025 | New York Stock Exchange (NYSEMKT) | |
Aug 07, 2025 | National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations (NASDAQ) |
Colleges which produce the most Space Tech companies in United States
Companies founded by alumni from top colleges in the Space Tech in United States
Most number of Space Tech startups in United States have been founded by alumni from Stanford University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and University of California (Berkeley).
College | No. of companies |
|---|---|
Stanford University | 28 |
Massachusetts Institute of Technology | 21 |
University of California (Berkeley) | 13 |
Harvard University | 7 |
University of California (Los Angeles) | 6 |
Carnegie Mellon University | 5 |
Cornell University | 5 |
Harvard Business School | 4 |
Technion Israel Institute Technology | 4 |
University College London | 4 |
Total funding in Space Tech companies founded by alumni from top colleges in United States
In the last 10 years, Stanford University graduates' Space Tech companies in United States have raised the most funding among top colleges. Massachusetts Institute of Technology alumni are second, and University of California (Berkeley) alumni are third.
College | Total Funding |
|---|---|
Stanford University | $4.53B |
Massachusetts Institute of Technology | $3.15B |
University of California (Berkeley) | $1.56B |
University of Oxford | $1.52B |
Harvard Business School | $1.26B |
Harvard University | $1.24B |
Stanford Business School | $1.03B |
University of California (Los Angeles) | $824M |
Carnegie Mellon University | $449M |
HEC Paris | $327M |
Top News in Space Tech in United States
•
•
SpaceX gains FCC global authority for Starlink Mobile services, aiming for 5G speeds worldwide.Notebookcheck Publishing GmbH•Sep 18, 2026•KDDI, SpaceX
•
Hughes Network Debt-Holders Seek Greater Control in Bankruptcy ProceedingsAdvanced Television•Sep 17, 2026•Hughes Network Systems
•
Aitech Launches C165 Rugged SBC for Defense System ModernizationBusinessnewsthisweek•Sep 14, 2026•Aitech
•
Aitech Launches Next-Gen Rugged AI GPGPU Boards for Defense PlatformsPR Newswire•Sep 09, 2026•Aitech
•
Orbital Leases 11K SF at 40 West 25th Street for Manhattan Office RelocationCommercial Observer•Sep 09, 2026•Orbital ATK
•
York Space Systems Introduces New Platform Purpose-Built for Very Low Earth OrbitBusiness Wire•Sep 02, 2026•York Space Systems, Solestial
•
Blue Canyon Technologies Unveils FleXbus Spacecraft SubsystemSpaceNews•Aug 26, 2026•Blue Canyon Tech
•
•
Aitech Announces New U-C6850 Rugged High-Speed Ethernet Switch/RouterEuropa Press•Aug 18, 2026•Aitech
