SpinLaunch, the California-based innovator slinging satellites into orbit, just scored a $12 million strategic investment from Kongsberg Defence and Aerospace. Alongside this cash boost, they’ve inked a deal to roll out Meridian Space—a shiny new low-earth orbit (LEO) broadband constellation. Think high-speed internet from space, and you’re on the right track!
The company’s been dreaming big since 2014, and now they’re pushing forward with a fleet of over 250 microsatellites, each weighing 70kg. At full throttle, this network promises “dozens of terabits per second” of global capacity—though their website pegs it at over 2Tbps, which is still massive for enterprise users.
What’s the Tech Behind It?
SpinLaunch isn’t just tossing satellites up for fun—they’re aiming to serve 5G non-terrestrial network (NTN) protocols using Ka-, Ku-, and V-band frequencies. Their secret sauce? Ultra-efficient reflectarray antenna tech that slashes satellite size and mass, making launches cheaper and more sustainable.
Who’s Building the Fleet?
Kongsberg’s NanoAvionics unit nabbed a €122.5 million ($136M) contract to crank out 280 satellites, including two prototypes. One of those is an in-orbit demonstrator (IOD) set for 2026, riding NanoAvionics’ MP42 bus to test Meridian’s comms payload. After that, they’ll tweak the design for max performance and launch efficiency.
Why Is Kongsberg Betting Big on SpinLaunch?
Eirik Lie, president of Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace, says it plain: “The Meridian Space solution will offer significantly higher broadband capacity” than what’s out there now. Kongsberg’s jumping in because they see SpinLaunch’s wild kinetic launch tech as the future of satellite comms. It’s a bold vote of confidence from a heavy hitter in aerospace.
SpinLaunch CEO David Wrenn doubles down, noting they’ve been cooking this constellation idea since 2020. “We’re excited to bring our low-cost, dynamic communications service to enterprise customers worldwide,” he says, tying it back to their mission of affordable, green space access.
What’s the Kinetic Magic?
Forget traditional rockets—SpinLaunch uses a kinetic mass accelerator. Picture this: electromagnets spin a robotic arm and payload inside a vacuum chamber up to 4,700 mph (7,500km/h), hitting 10,000Gs, then fling it 200,000ft (60km) into the sky. Small rockets take it from there to orbit, carrying up to 440lb (200kg) payloads.
Where Are They Testing It?
They’ve got a test centrifuge humming at Spaceport America in New Mexico, and a second launch site’s planned for Adak Island, Alaska. It’s a radical shift that could slash launch costs compared to old-school rocket blasts.
What’s the Timeline and Scale of This Project?
The IOD mission in 2026 will kick things off, proving the concept in orbit. From there, SpinLaunch’s 2021 spectrum filings hint at a fleet that could balloon to over 1,200 satellites. NanoAvionics is gearing up too, expanding its Vilnius HQ with a new assembly and testing facility to handle the workload.
Back in September 2022, SpinLaunch bagged $71 million in a Series B round, bringing their total haul to $150 million at the time. With this latest $12 million injection, they’re clearly not slowing down.
Why Should Industry Pros Care?
This isn’t just a cool science project—it’s a potential game-changer for broadband and 5G connectivity. SpinLaunch’s combo of low-cost launches and high-capacity satellites could shake up how enterprises tap into global networks. For decision-makers, it’s a signal to watch this space (pun intended) as NewSpace heats up.
Atle Wøllo, CEO of NanoAvionics, sums it up: “Their team has an impressive track record in disruptive engineering, which, combined with our small satellites, will open a new chapter in satellite communications.” That’s the kind of collab that gets industry tongues wagging.
