Amazon Web Services (AWS) announced the selection of 14 global space startups to participate in the 2023 AWS Space Accelerator, aimed at advancing global space sustainability.
The programme is a four-week business acceleration initiative designed to help startups and entrepreneurs in the space industry to develop, launch and grow innovative solutions that address key challenges in space sustainability.
The programme will be run in partnership with venture capital firm Seraphim Capital. It will provide participants with access to AWS’s cloud computing services, technical expertise, and business mentorship to help them develop and commercialize their ideas.
AWS Aerospace and Satellite Solutions Director said the focus of the programme is on supporting startups that are developing technologies and services that can help address critical sustainability issues in the space industry, such as debris mitigation, resource conservation, and reducing the environmental impact of space activities.
“The AWS Space Accelerator programme builds on AWS’s existing efforts to support the space industry, including its cloud computing services that are used by leading space organizations such as NASA, the European Space Agency (ESA), and SpaceX. By providing startups with access to these resources, the program aims to help them accelerate their development and bring their solutions to market faster,” said AWS Aerospace and Satellite Solutions Director.
The programme is open to startups from around the world, with a focus on those that are developing solutions in the areas of space sustainability, such as technologies for monitoring and mitigating space debris, sustainable satellite design and operations, and renewable energy solutions for space activities. Selected startups will receive various benefits, including AWS cloud credits, technical training and support, access to AWS Partner Network (APN) resources, and business mentorship from AWS and Seraphim Capital.
The AWS Space Accelerator program is an important initiative for the space industry, which is facing a range of sustainability challenges as space activities continue to grow. With the rapid expansion of the space industry in recent years, there is an urgent need for innovative solutions that can help address these challenges and ensure the long-term sustainability of space activities.
AWS’s leadership in cloud computing and its focus on sustainability make it an ideal partner for this initiative. The AWS Space Accelerator program is expected to play a key role in driving innovation and sustainability in the space industry in the years to come.
AWS Space Accelerator participants receive business development and strategy support, specialized AWS training, mentoring from AWS space domain and technical subject matter experts, up to $100,000 in AWS Promotional Credit through AWS Activate, and support on building and scaling their solutions worldwide. The curriculum also provides opportunities to work with AWS customers and AWS Partner Network (APN) Partners looking for innovative space solutions.
The 14 participating startups are:
Delta-V Analytics Inc (New Castle, Delaware) – Delta-V Analytics provides a cloud-based platform that automates satellite constellation operations using digital twin technology.
GATE Space (Vienna, Austria) – GATE Space enables the next generation of in-space mobility by providing scalable and cost-efficient plug-and-play mobility to satellites and orbital transfer vehicles.
GRASP (Lille, France) – GRASP’s mission is to develop satellite instruments and products that provide a complete picture of the Earth’s atmosphere and surface. These will be designed specifically to help decision-makers select paths that minimize climate change and improve air quality and human health.
In Orbit Aerospace (Torrance, California) – In Orbit is building infrastructure to support mass manufacturing in space. This startup operates uncrewed orbital platforms and re-entry vehicles, with the goal of providing more accessible and cost-effective service to and from space.
Integrate (Seattle, Washington) – Integrate is building a program logistics platform for complex hardware development and deployment scenarios for the space industry. The company’s collaboration-first approach allows program managers to organically pull together hardware specifications, high-level requirements, and schedules into a single collaborative software platform for faster execution.
Kawa Space (San Francisco, California) – Kawa provides space-powered signals intelligence (SIGINT), electronic intelligence (ELINT), and maritime domain awareness (MDA) as a service.
Little Place Labs (Houston, Texas) – Little Place Labs specializes in providing near-real-time space analytics for both ground and space-based applications, using advanced machine learning algorithms deployed directly on satellites and other space infrastructures. This enables rapid, precise, and cost-effective delivery of critical insights across commercial and national security sectors, with the ultimate purpose of making the world a better place.
Lunasonde – (Tucson, Arizona) – Lunasonde is making the underground world visible, transforming humanity’s approach to subsurface exploration and resource extraction. Using low-frequency radar, Lunasonde can identify objects and materials hundreds of meters underground, resulting in the first three-dimensional map below the surface of the Earth, and eventually the Moon, Mars, asteroids, and beyond.
Nominal (Austin, Texas) – Nominal builds continuous validation software for hardware organizations testing and deploying high-stakes, complex systems. The Nominal platform equips engineering teams to explore, monitor, and enrich mission-critical test data — all in one place.
Raven Space Systems, Inc. (Kansas City, Kansas) – Raven Space Systems is building entirely 3D-printed reentry capsules for on-demand cargo return from space. The company’s automated factory will enable cheaper and faster capsule production with adaptability for any mission.
Rogue Space Systems (Laconia, New Hampshire) – Rogue Space Systems provides in-space services through autonomous robotic systems and aims to support a future vision of growth and expansion in space, including the tools and resources humanity will need to flourish.
Space Kinetic (Albuquerque, New Mexico) – Space Kinetic is turning solar power into low-cost, in-space mobility with a novel electromechanical propulsion system. With several diverse applications across the space domain, the company’s long-term goal is to build a cislunar logistics network for sustainable space operations.
Violet Labs (Minneapolis, Minnesota) – Violet Labs is building cloud-based software integration for complex hardware engineering. The Violet platform aggregates data from software tools used across the hardware development lifecycle into a powerful single source of truth.
Xona Space Systems Inc (Burlingame, California) – Xona Space Systems enables modern technologies to operate safely in any environment, anywhere on Earth. Utilizing the efficiency of small satellites, Xona’s PULSAR service is a commercial “Super-GPS” designed to provide unprecedented precision, protection, and availability.
