Software Companies

L3Harris Technologies

Melbourne, United States commercial

In 2026 L3Harris sold a controlling stake in its Space Propulsion and Power Systems business (most of the former Aerojet Rocketdyne) to AE Industrial Partners, keeping the RS-25 engine and a minority holding; Sam Mehta became President and CEO on 17 August 2026. L3Harris Technologies is a global aerospace and defense technology company operating as "The Trusted Disruptor" across air, land, sea, space, and cyber domains. With over $21 billion in annual revenue and operations in more than 100 countries, L3Harris delivers mission-critical solutions across four strategic business segments with the speed, passion, and determination that government and commercial customers demand. In the space domain, L3Harris provides comprehensive capabilities spanning satellite systems, ground infrastructure, and mission operations. The company manufactures solid rocket motors at scale to power defense and launch applications. L3Harris supports NOAA's weather satellite programs, including next-generation imaging technology for the GeoXO satellite system, advancing weather monitoring and climate observation capabilities for disaster preparedness and environmental research. The company contributes critical components to NASA's Artemis program, including the Orion Main Engine supporting crewed lunar missions. L3Harris space ground systems enable satellite command, control, and data processing for military, intelligence, and civil customers. Their responsive space capabilities deliver rapid solutions for emerging national security requirements. L3Harris emphasizes multi-domain integration, connecting space assets with terrestrial networks for comprehensive situational awareness. The company's imaging and sensor systems provide critical Earth observation data, while protected communications satellites ensure resilient connectivity for defense operations. With deep expertise in electro-optical sensors, space-based infrared systems, and ground processing, L3Harris delivers end-to-end space mission capabilities. Their acquisition of companies like Aerojet Rocketdyne further expands propulsion and space access capabilities, positioning L3Harris as a premier space technology provider.

NEC Space Technologies

Fuchu, Japan commercial

NEC Space Technologies is the space systems division of NEC Corporation (Nippon Electric Company, Tokyo, founded 1899), Japan's largest information and communications technology conglomerate with annual revenues exceeding $25 billion. Within NEC's broad portfolio of IT services, enterprise software, and semiconductor products, the space division serves as a systems integrator and technology supplier for JAXA satellites, ground control infrastructure, and space communications equipment. NEC's most celebrated space achievement is its critical role in the Hayabusa asteroid sample return missions. For Hayabusa (launched 2003), NEC developed the spacecraft's ion engine system (the NSTAR-heritage IES microwave ion engines), guidance, navigation, and control systems, and communication hardware — systems that survived two years of interplanetary cruise, a harrowing landing and sample collection on asteroid Itokawa, and a desperate return journey that required improvising after multiple system failures before delivering Japan's first asteroid samples in June 2010. For Hayabusa2 (launched 2014), NEC again supplied propulsion electronics, navigation systems, and contributed to the impactor (SCI — Small Carry-on Impactor) mechanism that created an artificial crater on C-type asteroid Ryugu for subsurface sampling — the first ever such experiment. Hayabusa2 returned organic-rich carbonaceous samples including amino acid precursors in December 2020, a breakthrough for astrobiology. Beyond planetary missions, NEC Space Technologies has served as prime contractor or major systems integrator for multiple JAXA Earth observation satellites. The ALOS (Advanced Land Observing Satellite / Daichi) series — a 4-tonne L-band SAR + optical imaging platform — used NEC-led systems integration. MTSAT (Multi-functional Transport Satellite) geostationary weather and aviation satellites used NEC bus platforms. NEC also develops Japan's Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS) components — the 4-satellite GNSS augmentation constellation providing centimeter-level positioning across Japan — and ground systems for JAXA mission control and satellite command/data handling. Competitor Mitsubishi Electric (MELCO) is the other dominant Japanese satellite manufacturer prime.

Kratos Defense Space

San Diego, United States commercial

Kratos Defense Space is the satellite ground systems and communications division of Kratos Defense & Security Solutions (Nasdaq: KTOS). The division provides satellite command and control software (QuantumGS virtual ground systems), signal processing hardware (RT Logic signal generators and analyzers), and enterprise ground architecture for commercial and government satellite operators. Kratos' ground systems process signals for hundreds of satellites across multiple orbits and are deployed at military satellite operations centers, commercial teleports, and civilian ground stations worldwide. The company is a leading vendor to the US Space Force for enterprise ground architecture that will manage the proliferated LEO satellite constellations being deployed under Space Development Agency programs. Kratos' RF products are also used in electronic warfare testing, radar, and 5G testing applications.

CACI International Space

Reston, United States commercial

CACI International is a leading provider of mission-critical space solutions, delivering advanced signals intelligence, optical communications, and satellite systems for national security and intelligence community customers. The company leverages world-class digital signal processing techniques and emerging technologies including generative AI to provide enhanced SIGINT capabilities for unprecedented space domain awareness and decision dominance. CACI develops and operates fixed and deployable solutions providing custom signal processing systems from front-end collection to operator visualization, enabling rapid sensing, deterrence, and countering of adversarial threats. The company's CrossBeam free-space optical terminals successfully demonstrated space-to-space optical communications links in low-Earth orbit as part of the DARPA and Space Development Agency Mandrake II program, with terminals supporting successful high-speed communication link demonstrations over three and half years in orbit. Through a five-year cooperative research development agreement with the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Technical Center, CACI advances payload technologies, space sensor applications, and resilient Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) capabilities. The company's demonstration satellite tests multi-mission payloads including software-defined applications enabling precise, resilient PNT and tactical signals intelligence while in low-Earth orbit. CACI's time-focused PNT payload demonstrates GPS-independent earth-space time synchronization exceeding current performance by 100 times, producing high-precision geolocation solutions for proliferated LEO constellations while contributing to GPS resiliency in denied or degraded environments. The tactical ISR payload demonstrates collection, geolocation, demodulation, and decoding of digital mobile radio signals from orbit. With over two decades of experience integrating and operating complex end-to-end collection, processing, and space domain awareness systems, CACI continues advancing space-based intelligence capabilities.

Parsons Corporation

Centreville, United States commercial

Parsons Corporation (NYSE: PSN) is a US defense and intelligence technology company with approximately $6 billion in annual revenue, providing critical mission systems for space domain awareness, missile defense, and cyber operations. Founded in 1944 and headquartered in Centreville, Virginia, Parsons develops space situational awareness (SSA) software and sensor integration systems for the US Space Force, including contributions to the Space Fence radar ground station used to track orbital debris. The company provides ground control systems for military satellite constellations, electronic warfare systems, and command and control infrastructure for national security space programs. Parsons acquired Braxton Science & Technology (satellite ground systems) and Centra Technology, expanding its intelligence-space market position. The company employs approximately 18,000 people.

Palantir Technologies

Denver, United States commercial

Palantir Technologies is a leading software company providing data analytics and artificial intelligence platforms for defense, intelligence, and space operations. The company's AIP (Artificial Intelligence Platform) technologies enable the structuring, labeling, and preparation of defense data for AI training at all classification levels, including Secure Compartmented Information and Special Access Programs. Palantir developed MetaConstellation, a satellite network supporting AI model deployment for enhanced space domain awareness. The Gotham platform enables intelligence analysts to access satellite imagery, predict vessel routes, and detect weapon systems through AI-enhanced analysis. Via the Maven Smart System, Pentagon officials leverage technology enabling Combined Joint All-Domain Command and Control (CJADC2), connecting platforms, sensors, and data streams across the U.S. military and international partners. The company's TITAN (Tactical Intelligence Targeting Access Node) mobile ground station for AI applications was developed with Anduril Industries and Northrop Grumman, improving long-range precision strike capabilities with 10 units contracted for the U.S. Army. Palantir has designed multiple AI models tracking objects in Earth's orbit, detecting satellite maneuvers and classifying space object propulsion. In August 2024, Palantir and Microsoft announced partnership to bring sophisticated cloud, AI, and analytics capabilities to classified networks, deploying Foundry, Gotham, Apollo, and AIP in Azure Government, Azure Government Secret, and Top Secret clouds. In November 2024, the Navy awarded Palantir a nearly $1 billion software contract. With Q4 2024 revenue growing 36% year-over-year, Palantir continues expanding AI capabilities for national security and space operations.

Latitude

Toulouse, France commercial

Latitude (formerly Nexeya Space, rebranded 2021) is a French company developing the Zephyr small orbital launch vehicle and end-to-end nanosatellite solutions. Headquartered in Toulouse, the company offers integrated small satellite missions including satellite manufacturing (3U to 16U CubeSats), mission operations software, and launch integration services. Latitude's Zephyr rocket targets the 50–150 kg to SSO class with a two-stage configuration using liquid oxygen and kerosene, aiming to launch from CSG in Kourou. The company has received ESA BIC and BPI France funding and is part of France's strategy to develop sovereign small satellite launch capability to complement Ariane 6 and future European launchers. Latitude competes with MaiaSpace, Isar Aerospace, and other European small launch startups.

Astroland Agency is a Spanish company based in Cantabria, northern Spain, operating an analog space habitat and Mars surface simulation experience called Ares Station — a purpose-built isolated habitat constructed within the cave systems of the Monte Castillo area of Cantabria (famous for their UNESCO-listed prehistoric cave art). The facility offers immersive simulation programs for astronaut training analogs, scientific research teams studying human factors in isolation, corporate innovation and leadership programs, and educational experiences. Participants undergo simulated Mars mission protocols including EVA (extra-vehicular activity) simulations, geological survey exercises, closed-habitat operations with communication delays, and psychological isolation studies. Programs range from multi-day immersive experiences to extended 30-day missions replicating the physical and psychological conditions of a Mars surface stay. Astroland's cave habitat provides natural thermal stability and isolation from external light and sound — characteristics that distinguish it from surface-based analog sites like the Mars Desert Research Station (MDRS, Utah) or HI-SEAS (Hawaii). The company works with space agencies, research institutions, and universities using analog environments to prepare for future crewed deep-space missions.

Aalyria

Livermore, United States commercial

Aalyria, founded in 2022 and based in Livermore, California, is a network orchestration company specializing in connectivity solutions across diverse environments – land, sea, air, and space. The company was spun out of Google’s Project Loon and leverages two core technologies: Tightbeam, an advanced atmospheric laser communications system, and Spacetime, a software platform for orchestrating complex networks. Tightbeam utilizes coherent light free space optics to deliver high-speed data transmission through the atmosphere, exceeding the capabilities of many existing solutions, while Spacetime optimizes network performance by dynamically managing antenna scheduling, traffic routing, and spectrum resources. Aalyria’s technology is designed for interoperability with existing and future network architectures, including 5G NTN and FutureG. Since its formation, the company has secured contracts with key players in the space industry, including the Defense Innovation Unit, Rivada Space Networks, Intelsat, Telesat, the European Space Agency (ESA), and NASA, demonstrating its growing market traction. These partnerships focus on orchestrating LEO constellations and developing advanced connectivity platforms. Aalyria’s team comprises over 80 professionals with experience from leading technology and aerospace organizations, positioning the company as a significant emerging player in the evolving landscape of global connectivity.