E-Space
TypePrivate
IndustrySatellite constellation
Founded2022
FounderGreg Wyler
HeadquartersToulouse, France[1] and United States
Key people
Greg Wyler
ProductsSatellites
Websitewww.e-space.com

E-Space is a satellite communications company.[1] Created by Greg Wyler, E-Space satellites are designed to form a "constellation" of small satellites designed to resist fragmenting if struck in orbit.[1][2]

The company has said that its satellites have also been designed to clean up small pieces of orbital debris,[3][1] as well as to provide communications services to governments and businesses.[3][4]

It launched its first three demonstration satellites in May 2022.[5][6]

History

E-Space was publicly launched in 2022 by satellite and space entrepreneur Greg Wyler, who previously founded OneWeb and O3b Networks.[1][7][3] Based both in France and the United States,[8] the company was created to form a network of inexpensive, small satellites to provide services to governments and businesses.[3][1]

At launch, it raised $50 million from Prime Movers Lab and other investors.[9][10]

In February 2022, Wyler told the Financial Times 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."[3] He said that E-Space technology enables their satellites to collect orbital debris.[11] He also said E-Space satellites are designed to be resilient to a chain reaction of orbital collisions known as a Kessler event.[4]

E-Space's first three demonstration satellites were launched via Rocket Lab launch vehicles in May 2022.[5][6] As of August 2022, the company had filed for 300,000 satellites through the country of Rwanda.[5] 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.[12]

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.[10][13]

Technologies

E-Space satellites are smaller than most other commercial satellites,[14] and are designed to "crumple" if struck in space.[3][14] The satellites are also designed to collect space debris, and to automatically deorbit at the end of their lifespans to prevent leave additional debris.[3][1][11]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Kelvey, Jon (8 February 2022). "OneWeb founder's new venture aims to make satellites that fight space debris". The Independent. Retrieved 2 November 2022.
  2. ↑ Fernholz, Tim (10 February 2022). "The entrepreneur behind mega constellations wants to make them safe". Quartz. Retrieved 2 November 2022.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Hollinger, Peggy (2 February 2022). "Founder of OneWeb to join tech's race for space". Financial Times. Retrieved 1 November 2022.
  4. 1 2 Fernholz, Tim (10 February 2022). "Greg Wyler's E-Space is a satellite firm expecting a disaster". Quartz. Retrieved 1 November 2022.
  5. 1 2 3 Rainbow, Jason (24 August 2022). "Megaconstellation startup E-Space expands leadership team". Space News. Retrieved 2 November 2022.
  6. 1 2 Jewett, Rachel (4 May 2022). "Rocket Lab Catches Booster With Helicopter After Successful Launch". Satellite Today. Retrieved 5 November 2022.
  7. ↑ FitzGerald, Drew (17 October 2022). "The 5G Space Race: A host of aerospace companies and startups are vying to develop satellite networks that can talk to smartphones". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 5 November 2022.
  8. ↑ Rainbow, Jason (7 April 2022). "E-Space sheds more light on sustainable megaconstellation plan". Space News. Retrieved 1 November 2022.
  9. ↑ Jewett, Rachel (7 February 2022). "New Greg Wyler Startup E-Space Raises $50M in Funding". Via Satellite. Retrieved 5 December 2022.
  10. 1 2 Rainbow, Jason (5 December 2022). "E-Space buys RF hardware developer CommAgility". Space News. Retrieved 17 January 2023.
  11. 1 2 Alamalhodaei, Aria (27 April 2022). "OneWeb founder Greg Wyler's new startup wants to launch a 'sustainable' satellite mega-constellation". TechCrunch. Retrieved 2 November 2022.
  12. ↑ Holmes, Mark (10 November 2022). "E-Space Makes Progress to Offer Service in the Middle East". Via Satellite. Retrieved 17 January 2023.
  13. ↑ Joosting, Jean-Pierre (6 December 2022). "E-Space buys CommAgility to acquire 5G NTN source code". eeNews. Retrieved 17 January 2023.
  14. 1 2 Warwick, Martyn (14 October 2022). "E-Space plans a constellation of 300,000 LEO satellites". Telecom TV. Retrieved 1 November 2022.
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