14 Startups Selected for 2023 AWS Space Accelerator

Today, Amazon Web Services (AWS) announced the 14 global space startups selected to participate in the 2023 AWS Space Accelerator, a technical, business, and mentorship program to help startups advance their space solutions and accelerate their growth using the cloud.

These startups are developing inspiring and innovative solutions that address various challenges associated with space sustainability. From 3D-printed space vehicles to orbital robots, satellite solutions built on artificial intelligence (AI), and space-based initiatives that can help us better use Earth’s valuable resources, these emerging startups are leveraging AWS as they develop the next generation of exciting space technology.

Today, more than 70 countries participate in space activities. This prevalent interest in space is driving innovation to support spacecraft launch, human space exploration, and scientific discovery worldwide. In order to make sure that humans will be able to use space for generations to come, organizations like the World Economic Forum, the European Space Agency, NASA, and others are examining how to support a safe, prosperous, and sustainable future in space.

As organizations are thinking big about how to transform the future of space for all humanity, the AWS Space Accelerator can help these selected startups leverage flexible, agile cloud tools that can help power their space missions and innovate faster.

AWS Space Accelerator participants receive business development and strategy support, specialized AWS training, mentoring from AWS space domain and technical subject matter experts, up to $100,000 in AWS Promotional Credit through AWS Activate, and support on building and scaling their solution worldwide. The curriculum also provides opportunities to work with AWS customers and AWS Partner Network (APN) Partners looking for innovative space solutions.

Meet the cohort

A diverse panel of experts from AWS and TechConnect, a global research and innovation leader with more than 20 years of experience connecting emerging technologies with unique funding and partnership opportunities, selected this year’s startups from among hundreds of highly competitive applicants worldwide. Their selection was based on several factors, including: the innovative and unique nature of each project, relevance to the space sustainability focus, the overall value the solution may bring to the space industry, the creative application of AWS technology, and the team’s ability to deliver on an identified opportunity.

The 14 participating startups are:

Delta-V Analytics Inc (New Castle, Delaware) – Delta-V Analytics provides a cloud-based platform that automates satellite constellation operations using digital twin technology.

GATE Space (Vienna, Austria) – GATE Space enables the next generation of in-space mobility by providing scalable and cost-efficient plug-and-play mobility to satellites and orbital transfer vehicles.

GRASP (Lille, France) – GRASP’s mission is to develop satellite instruments and products that provide a complete picture of the Earth’s atmosphere and surface. These will be designed specifically to help decision-makers select paths that minimize climate change and improve air quality and human health.

In Orbit Aerospace (Torrance, California) – In Orbit is building infrastructure to support mass manufacturing in space. This startup operates uncrewed orbital platforms and re-entry vehicles, with the goal of providing more accessible and cost-effective service to and from space.

Integrate (Seattle, Washington) – Integrate is building a program logistics platform for complex hardware development and deployment scenarios for the space industry. The company’s collaboration-first approach allows program managers to organically pull together hardware specifications, high level requirements, and schedules into a single collaborative software platform for faster execution.

Kawa Space (San Francisco, California) – Kawa provides space-powered signals intelligence (SIGINT), electronic intelligence (ELINT), and maritime domain awareness (MDA) as a service.

Little Place Labs (Houston, Texas) – Little Place Labs specializes in providing near-real-time space analytics for both ground and space-based applications, using advanced machine learning algorithms deployed directly on satellites and other space infrastructures. This enables rapid, precise, and cost-effective delivery of critical insights across commercial and national security sectors, with the ultimate purpose of making the world a better place.

Lunasonde – (Tucson, Arizona) – Lunasonde is making the underground world visible, transforming humanity’s approach to subsurface exploration and resource extraction. Using low-frequency radar, Lunasonde can identify objects and materials hundreds of meters underground, resulting in the first three-dimensional map below the surface of the Earth, and eventually the Moon, Mars, asteroids, and beyond.

Nominal (Austin, Texas) – Nominal builds continuous validation software for hardware organizations testing and deploying high-stakes, complex systems. The Nominal platform equips engineering teams to explore, monitor, and enrich mission-critical test data — all in one place.

Raven Space Systems, Inc. (Kansas City, Kansas) – Raven Space Systems is building entirely 3D printed reentry capsules for on-demand cargo return from space. The company’s automated factory will enable cheaper and faster capsule production with adaptability for any mission.

Rogue Space Systems (Laconia, New Hampshire) – Rogue Space Systems provides in-space services through autonomous robotic systems, and aims to support a future vision of growth and expansion in space, including the tools and resources humanity will need to flourish.

Space Kinetic (Albuquerque, New Mexico) – Space Kinetic is turning solar power into low-cost, in-space mobility with a novel electromechanical propulsion system. With several diverse applications across the space domain, the company’s long-term goal is to build a cislunar logistics network for sustainable space operations.

Violet Labs (Minneapolis, Minnesota) – Violet Labs is building cloud-based software integration for complex hardware engineering. The Violet platform aggregates data from software tools used across the hardware development lifecycle into a powerful single source of truth.

Xona Space Systems Inc (Burlingame, California) – Xona Space Systems enables modern technologies to operate safely in any environment, anywhere on Earth. Utilizing the efficiency of small satellites, Xona’s PULSAR service is a commercial “Super-GPS” designed to provide unprecedented precision, protection, and availability.

Figure 1. A snapshot of the cohort members by company maturity, size, and location. View a larger version of the image.

What’s next for the AWS Space Accelerator

The four-week accelerator curriculum begins in May and provides an opportunity for startups to receive a customized set of valuable business development resources as well as AWS tools and resources to enhance each startup’s unique mission.

The culmination of this program will be the 2023 AWS Space Accelerator demo day, taking place on July 19 in San Francisco. This event provides an opportunity for participating startups to showcase their cloud-powered solutions.

The AWS Space Accelerator is part of AWS’s commitment to helping startups drive innovation and grow their businesses. Learn more about each of these 14 startups and how AWS for Aerospace and Satellite supports customers and partners.

Read more about AWS for aerospace and satellite:

• Orbital Sidekick uses AWS to monitor energy pipelines and reduce risks and emissions
• Amazon and AWS to reimagine space station operations and logistics for Orbital Reef
• AsiaSat’s live streaming company OCGL uses AWS to enhance video streaming and improve accessibility
• Using AWS IoT TwinMaker to build a spacecraft digital twin
• AWS and Project Kuiper to support the US military’s Hybrid Space Architecture project

About the author: Clint Crosier is the director of aerospace and satellite solutions at Amazon Web Services (AWS).