CesiumAstro Lifts Off

CesiumAstro, a developer of space communications technology, has closed an oversubscribed $65 million Series B+ funding round led by Trousdale Ventures with Development Bank of Japan and Quanta Computer also investing.

Also investing in CesiumAstro are Kleiner Perkins, Lavrock Ventures, L3Harris Technologies, InMotion Ventures, Matter Venture Partners, MESH Ventures, and Assembly Ventures.

With the close of this new round CesiumAstro’s Series B capital now totals $125 million bringing the company’s total equity raised since its founding to $156 million. The new funds will be used to boost research and development, improve manufacturing capabilities, and hire more additional staff.

CesiumAstro specializes in high-throughput, software-defined phased array communication payloads for a variety of airborne and space platforms, such as satellites, missiles, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Headquartered in Austin, Texas, CesiumAstro was founded in 2017 with a vision to revolutionize space communications. 

Phased array technologies involve using multiple antennas working together to send and receive signals. By adjusting the timing of these signals, the system can steer the signal beam in different directions without physically moving the antennas. This technology allows for more precise and flexible communication, often used in radar, satellite, and space communications. CesiumAstro’s flagship products include the Vireo multi-beam Ka-band active phased array payload and the Skylark SATCOM terminal.

CesiumAstro’s in-house operating capabilities include design, rapid prototyping, manufacturing, and testing which all meet ISO AS9100 standards.

Austin-headquartered CesiumAstro was founded in 2017 by CEO Shey Sabripour and has over 200 employees with additional offices located in Colorado, California, and the United Kingdom.

The space communications market is experiencing rapid growth, driven by the increasing demand for high-speed data transmission and the expansion of satellite constellations. According to MarketsandMarkets, the global satellite communication market is projected to grow from $16.4 billion in 2021 to $40.3 billion by 2026, at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 20.4%. This growth is propelled by technological advancements, substantial investments in space infrastructure, and the escalating need for secure and reliable communication networks.

“This raise fuels our commitment to expanding our software-defined communication solutions for the next era of connectivity,” said Mr. Sabripour. “We extend our deepest gratitude to our investors for their support in solidifying CesiumAstro’s leadership within the space and defense industries.”

“We are thrilled to lead CesiumAstro’s Series B+ round,” said Phillip Sarofim, the founding partner and CEO of Trousdale Ventures. “Their innovative technologies are game changers. We have unwavering confidence in Shey’s leadership and CesiumAstro’s team and believe this investment will propel their mission to deliver scalable space tech for a range of applications.”

“CesiumAstro’s full-mission payloads for space and air have huge potential to enable the next generation of connectivity solutions,” said Masao Masuda, the managing executive officer at the Development Bank of Japan. “To deliver those advancements, DBJ is excited to help CesiumAstro form connections in space and non-space industries, including in Japan.”

Trousdale Ventures, headquartered in Los Angeles, is an investor in early-stage companies across space and mobility, climate tech, and health and wellness. Founded by Phillip Sarofim, the firm aims to drive innovation and improve quality of life through its portfolio companies.

The Development Bank of Japan is a government-owned financial institution that invests in innovation and sustainable development, particularly in the aerospace sector.

Quanta Computer, a Fortune Global 500 company, is a leader in notebook ODM and cloud computing solutions, with a significant global presence and substantial revenue figures.