SpaceWERX STRATFI Opportunity Goes to CesiumAstro
Strategic Funding Increase Could Reach $55 Million
A Strategic Funding Increase (STRATFI) opportunity by AFWERX, with potential funding of up to $55 million, has been awarded by SpaceWERX to CesiumAstro. The funding selection supports the continued development of CesiumAstro’s Element satellite, a fully integrated platform designed for next-generation defense and commercial space communications, including missions aligned with the Space Development Agency (SDA).
“We developed Element specifically to meet SDA’s evolving mission needs."
Shey Sabripour, CesiumAstro
STRATFI, a key initiative of Ventures, the investment arm of AFWERX, is designed to co-invest with industry partners to accelerate the transition of technologies from prototype to operational capability. The program helps bridge the “Valley of Death” between early-stage development and full-scale deployment, ensuring disruptive innovations reach the warfighter.
“We are honored to be selected for this STRATFI opportunity,” said Shey Sabripour, Founder and CEO of CesiumAstro. “We developed Element specifically to meet SDA’s evolving mission needs. With AFWERX’s support, we are moving rapidly to deliver a multi-band, high-performance spacecraft that will provide connectivity for U.S. defense operations.”
Engineered from the ground up to support SDA’s tranche-based architecture, Element provides a mission-ready satellite solution that integrates CesiumAstro’s software-defined active phased array communications payloads. With low-latency, multi-user connectivity capabilities, Element is designed to enhance defense, intelligence, and commercial space missions.
This selection for STRATFI funding underscores CesiumAstro’s role in delivering innovative space communication solutions. As the company scales its manufacturing and production capabilities, Element will deliver on SDA’s vision for rapid deployment, flexible mission architectures, and resilient U.S. military connectivity.