Top 27 Space Force startups

Updated: Oct 06, 2026
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These startups develop directed energy weapons, space-based missile defense systems, advanced reconnaissance satellites, hypersonic vehicle tracking technologies and electronic warfare systems for orbital operations.
1
Tern
Country: USA | Funding: $11.9M
Tern AI is an AI-based company that develops technology infrastructure-free alternative to GPS. It allows military vehicle to essentially determine its own position independently, using edge processing, which is helpful both on- and off-road, in tunnels or in deserts. The startup has a contract with U.S. Army
2
Sierra Space
Country: USA | Funding: $2.2B
Sierra Space is building and operating military sattelites for missile detection and tracking.
3
True Anomaly
Country: USA | Funding: $1.1B
True Anomaly develops space security technologies. Its AI platform aims to fill a critical gap in space situational awareness and defensive operations and consists of Mosaic software for geospatial imagery analysis and hardware, including a line of autonomous spacecraft capable of rendezvous and close-proximity operations. These spacecraft, dubbed Jackal, are equipped with a suite of sensors and cameras for tracking, observing, and collecting data on objects in space. Jackal offers high maneuverability, regardless of payload and low cost. Its high-performance propulsion system and secure software base provide unmatched autonomy and control - designed from the ground up for highly dynamic missions to gain space superiority in any competitive orbital environment.
4
SpaceX
Country: USA | Funding: $37.5B
SpaceX is an aviation and aerospace company that operates a network of sattelites that can be used for military goals.
5
Rocket Lab
Country: USA | Funding: $11B
Rocket Lab designs, manufactures, delivers and operates space vehicles to transfer military satellites
6
Lockheed Martin
Country: USA | Funding: $8.3B
Lockheed Martin is a security company that engages in the research, development, and manufacture of technology systems and products, including HIMARS, ATACMS, BLACK HAWK Helicopter, F-16 Fighting Falcon.
7
L3Harris
Country: USA | Funding: $3.3B
L3 Harris is a proven leader in tactical communications, geospatial systems, air traffic management, avionics, and space and intelligence.
8
Firefly Aerospace
Country: USA | Funding: $1.4B
Firefly Aerospace provides launch vehicles, spacecraft, and in-space services for military payloads.
9
Apex Space
Country: USA | Funding: $722M
Apex builds satellite buses designed to host commercial and government payloads such as Earth-imaging capabilities and sensors ​for missile ​tracking and ⁠defense.
10
BAE Systems
Country: UK | Funding: $158.3M
BAE Systems designs, develops, and supports defense and aerospace systems used in the air, on land, at sea, and in space.
11
Digantara
Country: India | Funding: $64.4M
Digantara specializes in space-based missile defense systems. The company utilizes its space-based and ground-based infrared sensors, as well as software for analytics and intelligence collection. The company has already launched its first space surveillance satellite, SCOT (Space Camera for Object Tracking) and has signed contracts with the US and Indian Space Commands to provide analytical services. Its US division also was selected to participate in the Missile Defense Agency's SHIELD program, which supports next-generation missile defense programs.
12
Gravitics
Country: USA | Funding: $48.6M
Gravitics designs and manufactures essential space infrastructure
13
Danti
Country: USA | Funding: $8.2M
Search engine for all of Earth's data for Defense, Property & Insurtech, Infrastructure organizations
14
Northrop Grumman
Country: USA | Funding: $3.7B
Northrop Grumman produces military aircraft (in particular, the B-2 Spirit - a strategic stealth bomber), large UAVs (RQ-4 Global Hawk, MQ-8 Fire Scout), underwater drones (MQ-4C Triton), develops control systems for various military manned and unmanned aircraft, various types of missiles (SiAW) and anti-missile systems, electronic warfare systems, reconnaissance systems for collecting information, communication systems, navigation, surveillance, computer equipment, radars, warning systems, space force systems (satellites, launch vehicles, missile defense systems), as well as directed energy weapons (lasers) and smart ammunition.
15
HENSOLDT
Country: Germany | Funding: €846M
Hensoldt is a globally leading supplier of premium sensors for security and surveillance missions.
16
Hanwha Systems
Country: South Korea | Funding: $251M
Hanwha Systems is an aerospace company providing defense electronics and smart ICT solutions.
17
IAI
Country: Israel
Israel Aerospace Industries develops and manufactures military and commercial aerospace and defense systems.
18
Inversion Space
Country: USA | Funding: $54.3M
Inversion has U.S. Space Force contract to develop an autonomous re-entry vehicle capable of delivering cargo anywhere on Earth.
19
Millennium Space Systems
Country: USA
Millennium Space Systems makes missile control, surveillance and reconnaissance small satellites for US Space Force.
20
Safran
Country: France
Safran is an international technology group with divisions in aerospace, defense, and security.
Bruce Makowsky
Editor: Bruce Makowsky
Bruce Makowsky has covered military, cyber and IT news since 2009, with a focus on U.S. Navy and Marine Corps operations, acquisition programs and budgets. In particular he worked for Inside Defense. Bruce holds a Master of Science degree in journalism from Boston University. Bruce is also an award-winning photographer, renowned for his captivating images that have earned him numerous accolades and widespread recognition in the photography community. You can contact Bruce at makowsky(at)militarystartups(dot)com