Satellite Operations Companies

MDA Space

Brampton, Canada commercial

MDA Space (TSX: MDA) is a leading Canadian space technology company with over 50 years of heritage building systems that operate in some of the most demanding environments on Earth and in space. The company is best known for developing Canadarm (Space Shuttle) and Canadarm2 (International Space Station), iconic robotic systems that placed Canada among the world's space powers. MDA's three business lines are robotics and space operations (including Canadarm3, originally built for the Lunar Gateway and since August 2026 being redirected by the Canadian Space Agency toward lunar surface logistics for Artemis), geointelligence (processing and analyzing imagery from RADARSAT and other satellite constellations), and satellite systems (manufacturing communications and Earth observation satellites). MDA is the satellite manufacturer for Telesat Lightspeed's LEO constellation and builds satellite components for SatixFy, Globalstar, and others. The company went public on the Toronto Stock Exchange in 2021, raising $400M in its IPO, and employs more than 4,000 people across Canada, the UK and the US.

York Space Systems

Denver, United States commercial

York Space Systems listed on the New York Stock Exchange as YSS on 30 January 2026, selling 18.5 million shares at $34; in 2026 it acquired ATLAS Space Operations, Orbion and ALL.SPACE, and in August cut its full-year revenue guidance to $375–405 million. York Space Systems is a leading small satellite manufacturer delivering integrated defense technology solutions for the Space Development Agency's Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture. Founded to transform space access speed and economics, York provides spacecraft production, payload integration, launch services, and autonomous mission operations. York manufactures the S-CLASS, LX-CLASS, and M-CLASS satellite platforms supporting missions from ISR and remote sensing to communications and proximity operations. The S-CLASS is a 3-axis stabilized spacecraft designed for mass manufacture and constellation deployment, meeting stringent defense mission requirements. In August 2024, the Space Development Agency awarded York a contract to develop 10 satellites for Tranche 2 Transport Layer Gamma, launching in 2027 to enhance Joint All Domain Command and Control capabilities. York previously delivered nine satellites for Tranche 0 and is manufacturing 42 satellites for Tranche 1, 12 experimental T1DES satellites, and 62 Tranche 2 Alpha satellites under a $617 million contract. In December 2024, York completed System Requirements Review for 10 Tranche 2 Gamma satellites and Critical Design Review for 62 Tranche 2 Alpha satellites within a three-week period, demonstrating rapid program execution. York completed construction of a new manufacturing facility doubling production capacity to more than 1,000 satellites annually. The Denver-based company continues expanding defense satellite manufacturing to support the nation's proliferated space architecture.

Momentus

San Jose, United States commercial

Momentus was a commercial in-space transportation company that developed the Vigoride orbital service vehicle for satellite deployment and hosted payload services using water plasma propulsion. The company went public via SPAC in 2021 but faced severe regulatory and financial difficulties. In 2021, the SEC charged the company and its co-founder with making false and misleading statements about the technology's performance. The company remained listed on Nasdaq (MNTS) and carried out a 1-for-17.85 reverse stock split in December 2025 to regain compliance with the exchange's minimum bid price. Vigoride flew several missions to ISS but the broader orbital transfer vehicle business struggled to reach commercial viability. As of 2025-2026 the company has dramatically scaled back operations.

Taiwan Space Agency

Hsinchu, Taiwan government

The Taiwan Space Agency (TASA), established in 2023 and headquartered in Hsinchu, Taiwan, is Taiwan's national space agency — created by upgrading and renaming the National Space Organization (NSPO, founded 1991) — responsible for developing Taiwan's space capabilities, operating the FORMOSAT series of Earth observation and scientific satellites, building indigenous satellite manufacturing capacity, and supporting the development of Taiwan's commercial space industry. Taiwan's space heritage is anchored by the FORMOSAT program: FORMOSAT-1 (1999) was a science satellite for ionospheric research; FORMOSAT-2 (2004) was Taiwan's first Earth observation satellite providing 2-meter resolution imagery that served commercial, government, and disaster response markets; FORMOSAT-3/COSMIC (2006, a six-satellite constellation jointly developed with NOAA and UCAR) pioneered GPS Radio Occultation (GPS-RO) for weather forecasting and atmospheric profiling, a technique now used globally in numerical weather prediction models. FORMOSAT-5 (2017) was Taiwan's first domestically designed and manufactured Earth observation satellite with 2-meter resolution. FORMOSAT-7/COSMIC-2 (2019, a follow-on 6-satellite GPS-RO constellation with NOAA) provides tropical atmosphere GPS-RO sounding data critical for typhoon track and intensity forecasting in the Western Pacific. TASA's current programs include the FORMOSAT-8 constellation — a planned series of small optical Earth observation satellites providing sub-1-meter resolution with improved revisit frequency — and development of small satellite bus technologies suitable for commercial constellation markets. Taiwan's precision manufacturing industry, semiconductor expertise, and established aerospace component supply chains position TASA and domestic companies to participate in global satellite supply chains. Taiwan's geopolitically sensitive relationship with China limits some international cooperation options but Taiwan maintains active partnerships with NASA, NOAA, ESA, and international universities under its established scientific collaboration framework.

Phantom Space Corporation

Tucson, United States commercial

Phantom Space Corporation, founded in 2019 and based in Tucson, Arizona, is a vertically integrated space company focused on providing end-to-end solutions for satellite deployment. The company is currently developing the Daytona launch vehicle and positions itself as a provider of both launch services *and* satellite manufacturing, aiming to streamline access to space for a broader range of customers. Phantom Space emphasizes a “digital future in orbit” through its planned “Phantom Cloud” – data centers deployed in space – suggesting a focus on supporting data-intensive applications and potentially offering space-based computing services. A key differentiator for Phantom Space is its commitment to a fully domestic, U.S.-controlled supply chain, adhering to stringent Department of Defense and NASA guidelines. This focus aims to address current limitations in launch supply and the high barriers to entry in satellite technology, positioning the company to offer rapid and low-cost deployment of satellite constellations. The company highlights its “vertical tech stack” as enabling a significant reduction in cost – claiming half the cost – and a ten-fold increase in deployment speed compared to existing solutions. While specific missions or customers are not detailed publicly, Phantom Space targets organizations requiring dedicated orbital placement and scalable satellite solutions, particularly those building large constellations. The company’s business model centers around providing a complete solution, from satellite build to launch and in-space data infrastructure, aiming to “revolutionize space commerce” and broaden access to space-based technologies and data.

Terran Orbital

Boca Raton, United States commercial

Terran Orbital is a leading satellite manufacturer specializing in small satellite platforms serving aerospace and defense customers. In October 2024, Lockheed Martin completed the acquisition of Terran Orbital for $450 million, integrating the company into Lockheed Martin's Space business area to expand small satellite production capabilities. Founded in 2011 as Tyvak Nano-Satellite Systems, the company initially focused on nanosatellites and CubeSats before transitioning to larger satellite platforms after rebranding to Terran Orbital in 2022. The company brings high-throughput robotic manufacturing capacity and high-performing modular space vehicle designs, having supported more than 80 missions over the past decade for government and commercial customers from low-Earth orbit to the Moon. Terran Orbital has been a primary satellite bus manufacturer for the Space Development Agency's proliferated architecture. The company delivered 10 buses for the Tranche 0 Transport Layer and is currently building 42 buses for Lockheed's work on the Tranche 1 Transport Layer and 18 satellite buses for the Tranche 2 Tracking Layer. Lockheed Martin represented 71% of Terran Orbital's revenue in the first half of 2024. Lockheed Martin's relationship with Terran Orbital began with an initial investment through LM Ventures in 2017, followed by additional investments in 2020 and 2022 including a $100 million investment in November 2022 supporting 3D printing capabilities and production facility expansion. Under Lockheed Martin ownership, Terran Orbital continues advancing small satellite manufacturing capabilities for defense and commercial space programs.

The Agência Espacial Brasileira (AEB), founded in 1994 and based in Brasilia, Brazil, is the national space agency responsible for the development and coordination of Brazil’s national space program. Its core functions encompass space research, satellite development, and operation of the Alcântara Launch Center, a strategically located spaceport. AEB facilitates both governmental and commercial space activities within Brazil. A key focus of AEB’s work is the collaborative development of the China-Brazil Earth Resources Satellite (CBERS) program with China, providing Earth observation data for environmental monitoring and resource management. More recently, AEB has spearheaded the development and 2021 launch of Amazonia-1, a domestically designed and built Earth observation satellite, marking a significant advancement in Brazil’s independent space capabilities. AEB actively fosters innovation through support of scientific competitions like the NASA Space Apps Hackathon and the GLOBE program, encouraging participation from Brazilian teams. The agency also supports the commercialization of space technologies, as demonstrated by its collaboration with Innospace for testing technological orders on the Hanbit-Nano rocket and preparing for commercial launches. Through these initiatives and its ongoing programs, AEB positions itself as a central authority for space activities in Brazil, driving technological advancement, supporting scientific research, and promoting the nation’s role in the global space community.

AXA XL Space

Paris, France commercial

AXA XL is a global commercial insurance and specialty risk company, operating as the P&C and reinsurance division of AXA. Founded in 1997, the company provides insurance coverage for launch and in-orbit risks within the space industry, and extends its offerings to a broad range of commercial clients across over 200 countries and territories. AXA XL distinguishes itself as one of the largest space insurance underwriters globally, and offers more than 30 lines of business encompassing property, casualty, professional, financial lines, and specialty risks. The company’s core strength lies in its robust capital platform, data-driven insights, and technological capabilities, enabling it to deliver innovative and flexible insurance solutions. Notably, AXA XL was recognized as a product innovator for five consecutive years (2016-2020) by Advisen’s Pacesetters Index. It serves a significant client base, including more than 90% of Fortune 500 companies and the majority of the world’s leading insurance companies through its reinsurance services. AXA XL’s financial strength is underscored by ratings of A+ (AM Best), AA- (S&P & Fitch), and A1 (Moody’s) from leading financial assessment agencies.

Axelspace

Tokyo, Japan commercial

Founded in 2008 and headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, Axelspace is a space venture company specializing in the development and operation of microsatellites and Earth observation platforms. The company has a demonstrated history of innovation, originating from a team that successfully launched and operated a one-kilogram microsatellite in 2003. Axelspace currently manufactures microsatellites in-house, utilizing an onsite cleanroom facility, and has deployed 11 satellites to date. Axelspace’s core offering is the AxelGlobe platform, providing daily global imaging coverage for a variety of industries. They also offer a one-stop microsatellite service called AxelLiner. Recent developments include the December 2025 launch of a demonstration satellite, RAISE-4, equipped with their D-SAIL technology under a JAXA program, and collaborations with Geoimage and SI Analytics for satellite data distribution in Australia. Axelspace distinguishes itself through its focus on microsatellite technology and commitment to sustainability. The company has initiated a “Green Spacecraft Standard” to minimize the environmental impact of its operations, addressing concerns around space debris and responsible manufacturing. With a team of approximately 160 professionals, Axelspace aims to make space-based infrastructure more accessible and impactful for businesses globally.