SpaceTech Weekly Recap – October 13 - 19, 2025
Major funding, new missions, and setbacks: what mattered last week in space innovation.
Each week we bring you a curated look at the biggest moves in SpaceTech – from funding and M&A to market trends, contracts, and a quick stock snapshot.
“SpaceTech continues to accelerate, with HyImpulse’s €45 M raise advancing independent orbital launch capabilities. Viasat’s SMS demo, Telesat’s Lightspeed Landing Station, and Project Kuiper deployments demonstrate that reliable multi-orbit connectivity is becoming operational. Atomic-6’s Space Armor™ and ESA collaborations underscore the increasing importance of resilience and orbital safety. Meanwhile, contracts from ICEYE, Gilat, and Scanway highlight growing commercial demand for satellite data services. Execution, speed, and differentiation will be decisive in this highly competitive environment, determining which players set the standard for the next phase of space commercialization.” - Commentary by Matej Pretković
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Here is a quick overview of news:
M&A & Funding
HyImpulse Raises €45 Million to Accelerate European Rocket Commercialization
LuxQuanta Secures €8 Million in Series A Funding to Accelerate Global Deployment of Quantum-Safe Cybersecurity Solutions
Market
Viasat Demonstrates First Satellite SMS Messages on Android Smartphone in Mexico
Data Boom, Video Decline Reshapes Satellite Revenues by 2034
Telesat Purchases Real Estate in Timmins to Develop Landing Station Site for
Telesat Lightspeed Low Earth Orbit (LEO) Satellite Network
Spain Celebrates ESA Heritage with Substantial Plans for the Future
Atomic-6 Unveils Space Armor™ Tiles to Protect Satellites and Astronauts from Orbital Debris
UK Space Agency Evaluation Strategy Update 2025
Launch
Blue Origin Completes 36th New Shepard Flight to Space
Project Kuiper Satellite Rocket Launch Progress Updates
Mission Success: Rocket Lab Launches Latest Satellite for Synspective
Contracts
ICEYE and IHI Sign Agreement to Build an Earth Observation Satellite Constellation
Gilat Receives $42 Million in Orders from a Leading Satellite Operator for Its Multi-Orbit SkyEdge IV Platform
Scanway Space Expands Globally with ESA and Asian Contracts
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Read the news in more detail:
M&A & Funding
HyImpulse Raises €45 Million to Accelerate European Rocket Commercialization
What happened: German rocket manufacturer HyImpulse Technologies secured €45 million in new funding, including €15 million in Series A equity led by Campus Founders Ventures and €30 million in public financing. The funding will support the development and commercialization of its SL1 orbital rocket and expand production capacity. Since its founding in 2018, HyImpulse has raised around €74 million in total.
Why it matters: The funding marks a major step toward establishing independent and cost-effective European access to space—a critical strategic goal as the continent currently relies heavily on non-European launch providers. HyImpulse’s hybrid propulsion system, which uses paraffin and oxygen, reduces rocket components by around 50%, cutting costs and increasing reliability. Following the successful 2024 suborbital test flight of its SR75 rocket, the company plans to launch its first commercial orbital rocket in 2027.
Investor angle: The investment underscores strong institutional confidence in Europe’s emerging private launch sector, which remains underdeveloped compared to the U.S. HyImpulse’s orders already exceed hundreds of millions of euros, positioning it as a potential key player in Europe’s small satellite launch market. Investors view the company as part of a broader shift toward sovereign space capabilities and commercial competitiveness in Europe’s rapidly growing €1.25 trillion space economy.
LuxQuanta Secures €8 Million in Series A Funding to Accelerate Global Deployment of Quantum-Safe Cybersecurity Solutions
What happened: LuxQuanta closed an €8 million Series A funding round led by Big Sur Ventures, with A&G as the main investor and new participants GMV, Wayra, and the EIC Fund, alongside renewed commitments from Corning and GTD. The round includes soft financing from the European Commission’s EIC Accelerator following a €2.5 million grant in March 2024. Proceeds will scale production, advance R&D in quantum technologies and integrated photonics, expand teams, and accelerate international market expansion for NOVA LQ CV-QKD technology.
Why it matters: The funding accelerates global deployment of quantum-safe cybersecurity, leveraging LuxQuanta’s CV-QKD to address the security risks of quantum computing and support mass-market adoption. With NOVA LQ designed for integration into existing networks and adherence to standards, the round enhances cross-border reach across telecoms, governments, data centers, financial institutions, and critical infrastructures, reinforcing the shift toward quantum-safe infrastructure.
Investor angle: The round signals strong validation and strategic backing from a diverse group including corporate and European funders, plus EIC Accelerator support that reduces execution risk as LuxQuanta scales production and expands globally. The evidence of multi-region deployments and standards-based interoperability suggests potential for expanded addressable markets and improved valuation, contingent on continued market adoption of CV-QKD technologies.
Market
Viasat Demonstrates First Satellite SMS Messages on Android Smartphone in Mexico
What happened: Viasat demonstrated for the first time that SMS messages can be sent from an Android smartphone via a satellite connection in Mexico, illustrating a practical use case for satellite-enabled mobile messaging. The demonstration, described in Viasat’s latest news materials, showcases a milestone in bridging satellite technology with consumer devices and could broaden the reach of satellite messaging services beyond traditional broadband offerings.
Why it matters: This milestone highlights progress in integrating satellite connectivity with consumer mobile devices, expanding the use cases for satellite networks beyond broadband data. It aligns with industry trends toward resilient, global messaging and could influence future product development by operators and device makers seeking coverage in areas with limited terrestrial networks. The development showcases practical, user-facing applications of satellite technology that could broaden the addressable market for satellite-enabled communications.
Investor angle: In general, success of satellite-based SMS could expand Viasat’s potential addressable market and partnerships, but without additional data, investors should await further details on monetization plans, costs, and go-to-market timing.
Data Boom, Video Decline Reshapes Satellite Revenues by 2034
What happened: Novaspace’s 32nd Satellite Connectivity and Video Market report predicts data applications will overtake video services by 2033. Data revenue share is seen rising from 21% in 2024 to 55% by 2034, with total revenues edging from $101B in 2024 to $122B by 2034 and data revenues tripling to $67B. NGSO-driven capacity growth—95% of supply in 2023–2025, led by Starlink—will exceed 99% of new capacity 2025–2030, pressuring GEO orders.
Why it matters: This shift signals a fundamental rebalancing of the satellite market as data-enabled services expand while video declines. NGSO growth and falling capacity prices broaden addressable markets and enable new applications across land mobility, enterprise networks, and government use, reinforcing the move toward multi-orbit strategies and altering competitive dynamics.
Investor angle: The data-services surge points to rising revenue from data (67B by 2034) alongside total revenue growth to 122B by 2034, with data taking a larger share. The NGSO capacity boom and lower prices could widen markets and pressure traditional GEO programs, shaping valuations and capital allocation toward multi-orbit and NGSO-focused players, while exposing investors to capacity-cycle dynamics.
Telesat Purchases Real Estate in Timmins to Develop Landing Station Site for Telesat Lightspeed Low Earth Orbit (LEO) Satellite Network
What happened: On October 16, 2025, Telesat purchased a land plot on Laforest Road from the City of Timmins to develop a Landing Station for its Telesat Lightspeed LEO satellite network. The site will connect data from the LEO constellation to terrestrial Points of Presence and fibre in Northern Ontario.
Why it matters: The project supports Canada’s largest space program by bridging the digital divide and extending broadband to rural and remote communities. It is designed to enhance Arctic protection and Canada’s sovereignty, while delivering high‑performing connectivity for energy, mining, aviation and maritime industries. The Landing Station integrates with global terrestrial networks, offering built‑in redundancy and diversity.
Investor angle: The Timmins Landing Station highlights Telesat Lightspeed’s on‑the‑ground footprint and integration with Northern Ontario’s 2,200 km fibre network and reliable energy infrastructure. The move underscores progress in Canada’s growing space economy and could strengthen Telesat’s ability to deliver broadband to remote regions and key industries, subject to execution, timelines and regulatory factors.
Spain Celebrates ESA Heritage with Substantial Plans for the Future
What happened: During ESA’s 50th anniversary celebrations at ESAC, Spain’s Agencia Espacial Española (AEE) signed a new letter of intent with the European Space Agency and joined the Zero Debris Charter. Spain’s ESA contributions have grown about 50% in seven years. The agreement aims to explore development areas at ESAC and reinforce its status as a leading scientific reference centre, supported by ESAC data used by thousands of researchers. The AEE also agreed to collaborate on the CAPTURE in-orbit demonstration and signed three contracts to advance Earth observation and space safety, including a SIRIUS study with Thales Alenia Space España and an Airbus radiometer contract for Sentinel-3 Next Generation Topography.
Why it matters: The moves strengthen Europe’s space safety and Earth-observation capabilities and deepen Spain’s role in ESA programs. By backing CAPTURE for debris reduction and expanding ESAC’s research framework, the announcements align with European resilience and climate-monitoring initiatives and support ongoing development of European space infrastructure and talent.
Investor angle: For investors, the announcements signal growing demand for European Earth-observation and space-safety technologies and may create opportunities with Spanish suppliers such as Thales Alenia Space España and Airbus Defence and Space Spain. A closer Spain-ESA collaboration could improve long-term revenue visibility and valuations for involved aerospace players, though progress depends on ESA ministerial decisions and program timelines.
Atomic-6 Unveils Space Armor™ Tiles to Protect Satellites and Astronauts from Orbital Debris
What happened: U.S. advanced composites manufacturer Atomic-6 announced the launch of Space Armor™ tiles, a new class of RF-permeable orbital debris shields designed to protect spacecraft and astronauts without blocking critical radio communications. Unlike traditional metallic Whipple shields, which can generate harmful secondary debris upon impact, the Space Armor™ tiles are fragmentation-resistant—absorbing hypervelocity strikes without creating additional orbital hazards. The technology is now available for both government and commercial satellites and comes in two variants: Space Armor™ Lite, rated for debris up to 3 mm, and Space Armor™ Max, rated for impacts up to 12.5 mm.
Why it matters: Orbital debris is one of the most urgent risks to space operations, with millions of untrackable particles traveling at over 7 km/s posing constant threats to satellites, space stations, and astronauts. Space Armor™ represents a major innovation in debris mitigation, combining impact protection with RF transparency to preserve satellite communications. The lightweight, easy-to-install design reduces the creation of new debris and supports responsible space stewardship, a growing focus among commercial and government operators alike.
Investor angle: This launch strengthens Atomic-6’s position as an emerging dual-use materials innovator in the aerospace, defense, and hypersonics sectors. Following recent U.S. Space Force contracts for its solar array and shielding technologies, Atomic-6 is expanding its portfolio into the fast-growing market for in-orbit safety and infrastructure resilience. The company’s proprietary composite process and new Space Armor™ line could make it a strategic partner for defense primes, space agencies, and commercial satellite manufacturers aiming to safeguard next-generation constellations.
UK Space Agency Evaluation Strategy Update 2025
What happened: The Evaluation Strategy update 2025 (updated 13 October 2025) reviews evaluations conducted during the SR21 period (FY22–FY24), noting that the UK Space Agency commissioned and published more evaluations than ever, including its most robust impact evaluation design to date, and that findings are already informing delivery. For the next spending review period, the Agency plans to work with an External Panel of Experts to challenge robustness, invest in long-term evaluation designs to capture lasting impacts, collaborate with key actors inside and outside government to maximise lessons, and respond to feedback from a recent RFI about a new framework for procuring evaluation. The SR21 programme included evaluations that encompassed impact assessments.
Why it matters: The update signals a more robust, long-horizon approach to evaluating UK space programs, with external expert input and cross‑government collaboration to improve evidence for decision makers, potentially increasing accountability and the effectiveness of funded initiatives.
Investor angle: For investors, the emphasis on rigorous, long-term evaluation and external scrutiny could lead to more transparent governance and stronger linkages between funding and measured outcomes. The new evaluation framework and independent panel may influence procurement, project selection, and delivery timelines, with potential implications for program risk and returns on space sector investments.
Launch
Blue Origin Completes 36th New Shepard Flight to Space
What happened: Blue Origin completed NS-36, the 36th crewed New Shepard mission, with a six-person crew: Jeff Elgin, Danna Karagussova, Clint Kelly III, Will Lewis, Aaron Newman, and Vitalii Ostrovsky. The flight, which launched from Launch Site One in West Texas on October 8, 2025, brings the program’s total number of people launched to space to 86 (80 individuals). A mission patch with symbolic imagery was released, and Clint Kelly III is noted as flying for the second time (his previous flight was NS-22).
Why it matters: The NS-36 mission underscores Blue Origin’s ongoing cadence of crewed suborbital flights, reflecting momentum in the commercial space tourism and research market. It marks the 15th human flight for the New Shepard program and follows a period in which Blue Origin had already flown 75 people above the Kármán line, highlighting continued execution and branding efforts in the evolving space economy.
Investor angle: For investors, the continued execution of crewed suborbital missions signals potential growth in Blue Origin’s space tourism and research offerings, with a rising total of people launched to space and an expanding flight cadence. This points to potential revenue opportunities and a strengthening position in the emerging suborbital market, though success depends on sustained demand and regulatory and competitive dynamics.
Project Kuiper Satellite Rocket Launch Progress Updates
What happened: Amazon’s Project Kuiper completed its sixth successful launch, KF-03, on Oct. 13 with SpaceX’s Falcon 9, deploying 24 satellites into a 289-mile Earth orbit and bringing total Kuiper spacecraft launched to 153. The Kuiper team will perform health checks and raise satellites to 392 miles (630 km) for full commissioning. The program began deploying in April 2025 with its first 27 satellites and targets a constellation of more than 3,200 satellites across 80+ missions, supported by a Florida Kennedy Space Center hub that can host three simultaneous launches.
Why it matters: This progress demonstrates Project Kuiper’s ability to execute a multi-launch deployment of a large LEO internet constellation. With more than 3,200 satellites planned and deployment already underway across 80+ missions, the project seeks to extend high-speed internet to underserved areas. The Kennedy Space Center facility’s capacity for up to three simultaneous launches supports a scalable cadence for ongoing launches and commissioning.
Investor angle: From an investor perspective, Kuiper’s ongoing cadence—more than 80 missions and a 3,200+ satellite goal—signals a long-term, capital-intensive program with a clear deployment trajectory. Progress to 153 satellites launched to date and milestones like KF-03’s 24-satellite deployment may inform future funding needs, potential scale advantages, and risk considerations as the project moves toward commercialization.
Mission Success: Rocket Lab Launches Latest Satellite for Synspective
What happened: Rocket Lab successfully completed its 15th mission of 2025 and the first of 21 dedicated launches for Synspective. The Owl New World mission launched on Electron from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand at 16:33 UTC on October 14, deploying Synspective’s seventh StriX SAR satellite to a 583-kilometer low Earth orbit. This continues Electron’s role as the primary launcher for Synspective’s constellation, with a total of 27 missions planned for the company.
Why it matters: The mission highlights Electron’s reliability and rapid deployment capabilities in the small-lift segment, supporting the growth and iteration of satellite constellations. Synspective plans 21 dedicated Electron launches through the end of the decade, building a 27-mission program, underscoring strong demand for focused rides to orbit and contributing to Rocket Lab’s forecast of 20+ launches in 2025.
Investor angle: For investors, the development provides revenue visibility from a recurring, long-running constellation program with Synspective, totaling 27 Electron missions and 21 more planned this decade. The cadence could support growth in Rocket Lab’s valuation if demand for small-lift launches remains robust. Risks include customer concentration with Synspective and potential changes to launch schedules that could impact cadence.
Contracts
ICEYE and IHI Sign Agreement to Build an Earth Observation Satellite Constellation
What happened: In Helsinki, Finland, on October 16, 2025, ICEYE and IHI Corporation signed a procurement contract to build an Earth observation satellite constellation for security, civilian, and commercial use. IHI placed an initial order for four satellites and an image acquisition system, with an option to procure a further 20 satellites later. The first satellites are expected to begin phased commissioning and data delivery from around April 2026; two of the initial four will be assembled and tested in Japan. Subject to successful demonstration, IHI plans to exercise options for the remaining 20 satellites in phases from fiscal year 2026, targeting completion of a 24-satellite constellation by fiscal year 2029.
Why it matters: The agreement expands ICEYE–IHI collaboration, combining IHI’s manufacturing capabilities with ICEYE’s radar-based SAR data to provide sovereign access to Earth observation data for defense, disaster response, and environmental management, and to advance Japan’s leadership in space-based intelligence. It underscores demand for weather-independent imaging and phased, multi-year constellation builds.
Investor angle: The deal offers a near-term revenue path from the initial four satellites and a potential scale-up to 24 satellites by FY2029, via options. It strengthens ICEYE’s partnership with a major Japanese industrial group and could support longer-term government and commercial contracts. Risks include execution over several years and reliance on successful demonstrations to trigger the remaining options.
Gilat Receives $42 Million in Orders from a Leading Satellite Operator for Its Multi-Orbit SkyEdge IV Platform
What happened: Gilat Satellite Networks’ Commercial Division announced $42 million in orders from a leading satellite operator for its multi-orbit SkyEdge IV platform, with deliveries scheduled over the next 12 months. The orders will expand the global deployment of SkyEdge IV, which supports In-Flight Connectivity, maritime mobility, enterprise broadband, and cellular backhaul, driven by growing IFC adoption and the rollout of free Wi‑Fi on commercial flights.
Why it matters: The announcement highlights rising demand for multi-orbit satellite infrastructure and ground-segment technology. SkyEdge IV’s scalability and flexibility position Gilat to meet global mobility needs across GEO, MEO, and LEO networks, supporting expanding IFC, maritime, enterprise, and backhaul applications as satellite operators invest in high-speed broadband connectivity worldwide.
Investor angle: $42 million backlog provides near-term revenue visibility and validates Gilat’s SkyEdge IV platform in multi-orbit deployments across mobility markets. The deal underscores the company’s competitive position in ground segments and multi-orbit ecosystems, though it may indicate customer concentration risk given a single operator.
Scanway Space Expands Globally with ESA and Asian Contracts
What happened: Polish space technology firm Scanway Space secured a series of major international contracts that extend its presence across Europe, the U.S., and Asia. The company won a €500,000 contract from the European Space Agency (ESA) to deliver an optical instrument and data pipeline for lunar imaging, in partnership with Intuitive Machines (NASDAQ: LUNR). In parallel, Scanway signed a €9 million deal with a Southeast Asian partner to supply a fleet of high-resolution telescopes through 2027—its largest commercial contract to date. Domestically, Scanway remains a key player in Poland’s €52 million CAMILA Earth-observation program, providing optical payloads and image processing systems alongside Creotech Instruments.
Why it matters: These deals mark a turning point for Scanway as it evolves from a niche optics supplier into a full-fledged space systems provider integrating hardware and data services. The new contracts significantly expand its backlog and revenue visibility, while the ESA partnership enhances its credibility in high-value lunar missions. By moving into lunar imaging and advanced data processing, Scanway is positioning itself in higher-margin segments of the space economy, where European participation remains limited.
Investor angle: With multi-year contracts exceeding its 2024 revenue, Scanway now stands out as one of Europe’s emerging small-cap growth stories in space tech. Execution risk remains, given reliance on milestone-based payments and a small number of large contracts. However, successful delivery could meaningfully scale the company’s operations and valuation. Investors watching Europe’s next generation of satellite and lunar infrastructure players will likely keep Scanway on their radar.
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Disclaimer: This article is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. While we strive to ensure the accuracy and timeliness of the information presented, we cannot guarantee its completeness or correctness. Readers should conduct their own research and consult a qualified financial professional before making any investment decisions. Past performance is not indicative of future results.