“It is the policy of the United States that activities in space should be devoted to peaceful purposes for the benefit of all mankind.” U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958

On the Sunday prior to the New Year, Astranis marked a pivotal milestone in its history with the launch of four of its "MicroGEO" satellites to geostationary orbit (GEO). The satellites were carried onboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, on a launch named “Astranis: From One to Many.” Among these satellites was "AGILA," which will deliver broadband access to the Philippines via Orbits Corp. Two others, "NuView-A" and "NuView-B," are set to provide internet connectivity to airplanes and cruise ships through Anuvu. The fourth, "UtilitySat," boasts on-orbit reconfigurability, enabling it to provide replacement services for other satellites. Importantly, the deployment of these satellites reflects real-world validation of Astranis’ capabilities delivering on its ambitious promise: to connect the 3 billion people still unconnected around the world and provide reliable position, navigation, and timing transmissions to warfighters and the public.

We are proud to have been early partners with Astranis, dating back to before the launch of its first satellite, Arcturus. Most recently, we reaffirmed our commitment by participating in Astranis’ Series D funding round, led by a16z Growth Fund and BAM Elevate. This follows our initial investment in November 2020.

When we first partnered with Astranis, our investment thesis centered on the urgent need for low-cost, high-capacity bandwidth, particularly in underserved regions. The company’s technology, driven by proprietary software-defined radios, on-board propulsion, advanced manufacturing techniques, and radiation-hardened electronics offered a key competitive advantage. Led by CEO John Gedmark and CTO Ryan McLinko, the Astranis team impressed us with their unparalleled expertise in aerospace engineering and satellite design. Their focus on creating solutions for connectivity and critical defense infrastructure aligned seamlessly with Harpoon’s mission to support transformative technologies solving consequential global challenges.

At that time, the satellite industry was a dichotomy: large, expensive GEO satellites dominated by incumbents and Low Earth Orbit (LEO) constellations requiring massive investments and scale to achieve viability. Both models left vast markets underserved. Astranis, however, was rethinking the status quo with its MicroGEO satellites - small, low-cost, and powerful spacecraft designed to deliver high-bandwidth connectivity to regions that had long been overlooked. The potential was clear.

Since then, Astranis has exceeded expectations in every way. The launch of its first satellite in 2023 demonstrated the viability of its MicroGEO platform, and the company has since expanded its product line to tackle diverse and critical needs. UtilitySat, branded the "Swiss Army Knife" of satellites, offers unparalleled flexibility to relocate and serve multiple missions. Omega, set to launch in 2026, will be the most powerful communications satellite for GEO, delivering over 50 Gbps of dedicated throughput. Nexus, a next-generation GPS satellite selected by the U.S. Space Force, will enhance GPS resiliency against modern threats like jamming and spoofing. These innovations are not just addressing existing markets - they’re creating entirely new ones.

Astranis’ growing list of partnerships, with demand from both commercial and federal customers, prove its ability to scale its vision and execute with precision. The combination of cutting-edge technology, a clear market need, and a stellar founding team has positioned Astranis as a leader in a market that had long resisted innovation.

Today, Astranis continues to push boundaries, expanding access to connectivity for billions of people while addressing national security needs with innovative solutions. Their progress is a testament to what can be achieved when bold vision meets operational excellence. At Harpoon Ventures, we remain committed to supporting Astranis on this journey. They are not just solving the connectivity challenges of today - they are laying the groundwork for a more connected, resilient future.