SpinLaunch Announces $12 Million Investment from Kongsberg
Will Support Development and Commercialization of Meridian Space LEO Constellation
Kongsberg Defense and Aerospace has made a $12 million strategic investment in SpinLaunch, which will support the development and commercialization of Meridian Space, an ultra-high performance, low-earth orbit (LEO) satellite broadband constellation. The constellation is designed to uniquely provide global coverage with only one traditional rocket launch deploying 250 next-generation microsatellites that leverage a proprietary suite of groundbreaking technologies.
“Kongsberg’s decision to partner with SpinLaunch reflects our belief in their innovative approach to satellite communications.”
Eirik Lie, Kongsberg Defense & Aerospace
This partnership underscores both organizations’ commitment to delivering affordable and sustainable space services worldwide, the companies say. “SpinLaunch was founded on a bold commitment to deliver a more sustainable, cost-effective approach to launching satellite constellations – a vision that logically involved considering our own global network from the outset,” said David Wrenn, CEO of SpinLaunch. “Starting in 2020, we accelerated that vision and ramped up development of the constellation, and we are now excited to officially bring our low-cost, dynamic communications service to enterprise customers worldwide.”
“The Meridian Space solution, supported by Kongsberg, will offer significantly higher broadband capacity in a satellite constellation compared with what is available on the market today,” said Eirik Lie, president of Kongsberg Defense & Aerospace. “Kongsberg’s decision to partner with SpinLaunch reflects our belief in their innovative approach to satellite communications.”
“We’re thrilled to welcome Kongsberg as a partner and investor, underscoring the strength and maturity of our satcom system,” said Matthew Mejía, CFO & Chief Strategy Officer of SpinLaunch. “Their reputation and global footprint in defense and technology give us an invaluable edge as we move forward.”
The strategic partnership extends to Kongsberg NanoAvionics (KNA), which SpinLaunch has selected as the exclusive satellite supplier for the initial deployment of 280 satellites. Leveraging its extensive flight heritage and cutting-edge manufacturing capabilities, NanoAvionics will play a critical role in enabling Meridian’s phased deployment plan, with development of the in-orbit demonstrator (IOD) – planned for 2026 – already underway.
"After an extensive industry evaluation, we selected NanoAvionics for their demonstrated flight heritage and high-performance satellites,” said David Wrenn, CEO of SpinLaunch. “NanoAvionics' modular smallsat systems give us a reliable foundation to scale our constellation quickly and confidently."
“Our collaboration with SpinLaunch is a clear example of how NanoAvionics enables complex satellite missions with standardized, scalable technology,” said Atle Wøllo, CEO of NanoAvionics. "Their team has an impressive track record in disruptive engineering which, combined with NanoAvionics' industry-leading small satellites, will open a new chapter in the NewSpace industry and satellite communications.”
To meet the needs of the 280-satellite constellation production schedule, Kongsberg NanoAvionics will ramp up its manufacturing capabilities with the addition of a new assembly and testing facility at its European headquarters in Vilnius, Lithuania.