Loft Orbital simplifies space missions by purchasing standard satellites and equipping them with customer payloads, offering a service that eliminates the need for clients to manage their own hardware. It also provides "virtual missions," allowing customers to deploy software applications on Loft satellites. Recently, Loft Orbital formed a joint venture with Marlan Space to enhance satellite manufacturing in the Middle East and launched YAM-6, a satellite dedicated to AI operations in space. The new funding will help Loft Orbital increase its satellite launches to over ten annually and expand its virtual missions and AI business, aiming to build an ecosystem of AI application partners.
Key takeaways:
- Loft Orbital has raised $170 million in Series C funding, bringing its total funding to $330 million since its inception in 2017.
- The company has achieved over $500 million in bookings with only $160 million of capital raised prior to the Series C, highlighting its capital efficiency.
- Loft Orbital's business model involves buying standard satellites and outfitting them with customer payloads, simplifying the deployment and operation of space missions.
- The new capital will be used to increase satellite launches to over ten annually and expand its virtual missions and AI business.