satellite communications
A communications satellite is an artificial satellite that relays and amplifies radio telecommunication signals via a transponder; it creates a communication channel between a source transmitter and a receiver at different locations on Earth. ...
company. Created by
Greg Wyler
Gregory Thane Wyler (born 12 November 1969) is an American tech entrepreneur, engineer, and inventor. He was the founder and executive chairman of OneWeb and the founder of O3b Networks.
Business ventures
Wyler spent four years developing tel ...
, E-Space satellites are designed to form a "constellation" of small satellites designed to resist fragmenting if struck in orbit.
The company has said that its satellites have also been designed to clean up small pieces of orbital debris, as well as to provide communications services to governments and businesses.
It launched its first three demonstration satellites in May 2022.
History
E-Space was publicly launched in 2022 by satellite and space entrepreneur
Greg Wyler
Gregory Thane Wyler (born 12 November 1969) is an American tech entrepreneur, engineer, and inventor. He was the founder and executive chairman of OneWeb and the founder of O3b Networks.
Business ventures
Wyler spent four years developing tel ...
, who previously founded
OneWeb
OneWeb (legally Network Access Associates Ltd) is a communications company that aims to build broadband satellite Internet services. The company is headquartered in London, and has offices in Virginia, US and a satellite manufacturing facility ...
and
O3b Networks
O3b Networks Ltd. was a network communications service provider building and operating a medium Earth orbit (MEO) satellite constellation primarily intended to provide voice and data communications to mobile operators and Internet service pr ...
. Based both in France and the United States, the company was created to form a network of inexpensive, small satellites to provide services to governments and businesses.
At launch, it raised $50 million from Prime Movers Lab and other investors.
In February 2022, Wyler told the ''
Financial Times
The ''Financial Times'' (''FT'') is a British daily newspaper printed in broadsheet and published digitally that focuses on business and economic current affairs. Based in London, England, the paper is owned by a Japanese holding company, Ni ...
'' that E-Space would launch up to 100,000 satellites in orbit within a decade, and that their satellites were the "first to be designed to clean space." He said that E-Space technology enables their satellites to collect orbital debris. He also said E-Space satellites are designed to be resilient to a chain reaction of orbital collisions known as a Kessler event.
E-Space's first three demonstration satellites were launched via
Rocket Lab
Rocket Lab is a public American aerospace manufacturer and launch service provider, with a New Zealand subsidiary. The company operates lightweight Electron orbital rockets, which provide dedicated launches for small satellites. Rocket Lab also ...
launch vehicles in May 2022. As of August 2022, the company had filed for 300,000 satellites through the country of Rwanda. In November of that same year E-Space also became one of the first companies in the world to be listed in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's official satellite registry, thus providing legal permission for E-Space to provide land communications traffic in that country.
In December 2022, E-Space announced its first acquisition with the purchase of CommAgility, a unit of the publicly-traded company Wireless Telecom Group that specializes in cellular and satellite signal management.
Technologies
E-Space satellites are smaller than most other commercial satellites, and are designed to "crumple" if struck in space. The satellites are also designed to collect space debris, and to automatically deorbit at the end of their lifespans to prevent leave additional debris.