Near Space Labs

Near Space Labs is a Brooklyn-based geospatial imaging company founded in 2017 that provides high-resolution Earth observation data captured from stratospheric balloons. The company operates a fleet of autonomous, zero-emission “Swift” robots that fly in the stratosphere to collect 7cm resolution imagery – surpassing the quality of many traditional aerial surveys. This data is delivered with quarterly refresh rates, covering up to 1000 sq km per flight, and is applicable to both urban and rural environments.

Near Space Labs differentiates itself through its unique platform, offering a cost-effective and environmentally sustainable alternative to satellite and aircraft-based imagery. The company has secured $20M in Series B funding and $13M in Series A funding to expand its fleet and coverage across the United States. Key applications of their imagery are focused on industries like insurance, government, and conservation, with a demonstrated focus on rapid damage assessment following natural disasters and streamlining insurance claims processes. Notably, Near Space Labs also provides free imagery to universities and non-profit organizations for research purposes, expanding access to high-resolution geospatial data.