E-Space

For the fictional alternative universe, see Full Circle (Doctor Who).
E-Space
Company typePrivate
IndustrySatellite constellation
Founded2022
FounderGreg Wyler
HeadquartersToulouse, France[1] and Arlington, Texas[2]
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][3]

The company has said that its satellites have also been designed to clean up small pieces of orbital debris,[4][1] as well as to provide communications services to governments and businesses.[4][5]

It launched its first three demonstration satellites in May 2022.[6][7]

History

E-Space was publicly launched in 2022 by satellite and space entrepreneur Greg Wyler, who previously founded OneWeb and O3b Networks.[1][8][4] Based both in France and the United States,[9] the company was created to form a network of inexpensive, small satellites to provide services to governments and businesses.[4][1]

At launch, it raised $50 million from Prime Movers Lab and other investors.[10][11]

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."[4] He said that E-Space technology enables their satellites to collect orbital debris.[12] He also said E-Space satellites are designed to be resilient to a chain reaction of orbital collisions known as a Kessler event.[5]

E-Space's first three demonstration satellites were launched via Rocket Lab launch vehicles in May 2022.[6][7] As of August 2022, the company had filed for 300,000 satellites through the country of Rwanda.[6] 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.[13]

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.[11][14]

Technologies

E-Space satellites are smaller than most other commercial satellites,[15] and are designed to "crumple" if struck in space.[4][15] The satellites are also designed to collect space debris, and to automatically deorbit at the end of their lifespans to prevent leave additional debris.[4][1][12]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g 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. ^ Butler, Anna (24 April 2024). "Arlington lands three company headquarters in a single night". Dallas News. Retrieved 25 April 2024.
  3. ^ Fernholz, Tim (10 February 2022). "The entrepreneur behind mega constellations wants to make them safe". Quartz. Retrieved 2 November 2022.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g Hollinger, Peggy (2 February 2022). "Founder of OneWeb to join tech's race for space". Financial Times. Retrieved 1 November 2022.
  5. ^ a b Fernholz, Tim (10 February 2022). "Greg Wyler's E-Space is a satellite firm expecting a disaster". Quartz. Retrieved 1 November 2022.
  6. ^ a b c Rainbow, Jason (24 August 2022). "Megaconstellation startup E-Space expands leadership team". Space News. Retrieved 2 November 2022.
  7. ^ a b Jewett, Rachel (4 May 2022). "Rocket Lab Catches Booster With Helicopter After Successful Launch". Satellite Today. Retrieved 5 November 2022.
  8. ^ 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.
  9. ^ Rainbow, Jason (7 April 2022). "E-Space sheds more light on sustainable megaconstellation plan". Space News. Retrieved 1 November 2022.
  10. ^ Jewett, Rachel (7 February 2022). "New Greg Wyler Startup E-Space Raises $50M in Funding". Via Satellite. Retrieved 5 December 2022.
  11. ^ a b Rainbow, Jason (5 December 2022). "E-Space buys RF hardware developer CommAgility". Space News. Retrieved 17 January 2023.
  12. ^ a b 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.
  13. ^ Holmes, Mark (10 November 2022). "E-Space Makes Progress to Offer Service in the Middle East". Via Satellite. Retrieved 17 January 2023.
  14. ^ Joosting, Jean-Pierre (6 December 2022). "E-Space buys CommAgility to acquire 5G NTN source code". eeNews. Retrieved 17 January 2023.
  15. ^ a b Warwick, Martyn (14 October 2022). "E-Space plans a constellation of 300,000 LEO satellites". Telecom TV. Retrieved 1 November 2022.