Analytical Space (ASI), building the world’s first commercial optical communication data relay network in low Earth orbit to provide high throughput and low latency transmission services for remote sensing satellite operators, announced today that it has raised $3.5 million of seed funding from investors including The Engine, Space Angels, Flybridge Capital Partners, Shasta Ventures, Yard Ventures, Dream Incubator, and Dorm Room Fund. Today’s investment, led by The Engine and Space Angels, includes participation from existing investors NXT Ventures and several prominent angel investors.
Every few hours, a Library of Congress worth of data is created in space by remote sensing satellites. But these satellites can only transmit information back to the Earth’s surface two to three hours per day because most of their time is spent over the ocean where data cannot be offloaded. This means that the flow of information can be unreliable and coverage areas severely limited. Analytical Space has pioneered a new kind of communications satellite – 10 times smaller than the existing technology – that receives remote sensing data through radio signals and uses optical communication technology to route it through their network to the ground with high throughput, no delay and at low cost.
At full deployment, ASI’s network of satellites will unlock greater quantity and higher quality of data – a game changer when it comes to solving global challenges such as increasing crop yields, monitoring climate change and optimizing the movement of goods across the planet. The team is preparing to deploy its first pilot satellite into low Earth orbit from the International Space Station in Q1 2018.
“We’ve assembled an expert team of space engineers and entrepreneurs to build sorely needed infrastructure in low-earth orbit. Infrastructure that enables the throughput and latencies to unlock more useful and actionable information,” said Justin Oliveira, Co-Founder and CEO.
“We’re grateful to be working with investors who have a track record of commercializing tough technologies. Their support equips us with everything we need to break new ground with our beta testers. To leverage planetary big data in a way that’s never been seen before,” added Dan Nevius, Co-Founder and COO.
“Analytical Space is exactly the kind of ambitious tough tech company that The Engine has a mission to serve,” said Reed Sturtevant, General Partner of The Engine, who will be joining Analytical Space’s board of directors as part of The Engine’s investment. “Its creative backwards-compatible approach, small relay satellites that use lasers to rapidly transmit data to low-cost optical ground stations, will allow today’s satellite operators to immediately improve data download.”
“Having watched Justin and Dan thoughtfully develop this opportunity over the last couple years, I can’t imagine a better-equipped team to deliver on the exciting future of satellite communications,” said Jeff Bussgang, General Partner, Flybridge Capital Partners.
About Analytical Space, Inc.:
Analytical Space aims to unlock the potential of data from space by building the world’s first optical small satellite communications network. Founded in 2016, the Analytical Space team draws from deep experience in space technology, strategy and policy, from NASA, the White House, Planetary Resources, MIT Draper, Lincoln Labs and Raytheon.www.analyticalspace.com
