LeoLabs raises $29m for Space Situational Awareness

LeoLabs, a Space Situational Awareness specialist – think collision avoidance and space traffic management – has raised an additional $29 million in financing.

The Californian company, which highlights its use of “AI-powered insights”, says the investment will enable it to “scale up its insight delivery by further investing in advanced end-user applications and partner integrations.”

“With the unprecedented growth of satellites in low Earth orbit, enhanced safety and security solutions are critical,” said Dan Ceperley, CEO and co-founder of LeoLabs.

“We’ve built a responsive layer of artificial intelligence algorithms that turn the real-time data collected by our all weather, 24/7 sensor network into continuous and reliable insights for space operators.”

The funding was lead by GP Bullhound, with new investors including 1941, and Dolby Family Ventures. Backing also came from existing investors such as Insight Partners, Velvet Sea Ventures, Space Capital, and MDSV Capital.

Space Situational Awareness

For government operators, the company says it will further integrate its real-time insights on anomalous space activities into defense command operations.

For commercial operators, it will deliver refined orbital data and safety alerts to inform mission planning and operations. Also, for safety capabilities, it aims to build the “foundational layer of the next generation of space traffic coordination currently in development by the U.S. Department of Commerce”.

LeoLabs was founded in 2016 as a venture-funded spinout of SRI International, helping to secure Low Earth Orbit (LEO) via a global radar network and data services platform.

Image: LeoLabs – Tracking dashboard

See also: New Zealand turns to LeoLabs for stewardship of space