Observable Space Raises $90M and Wins USSF Contract Worth $94M

Observable Space Raises $90M and Secures United States Space Force Contract Worth $94M for Optical Communications and Tracking Systems

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Observable Space has emerged from stealth with a $90 million Series A led by Lux Capital and co-led by Upfront Ventures, Detroit Venture Partners, Island Green Capital, and RTX Ventures, with participation from BRV Capital and Fathom Fund.

The company also announced a U.S. Space Force contract with a ceiling value of $94 million, including $22 million in initial task orders.

Founded by former SpaceX VP Daniel Roelker, Observable Space develops optical systems for laser communications and space domain awareness.

Its portfolio includes ground-based laser communication terminals, deployable optical telescopes, and space-based imaging systems designed for commercial and government customers.

"If you control light, you control space," said Roelker. "The companies and nations that precisely track objects, navigate spacecraft and communicate terabits per second will define the next era of the space economy."

The company recently demonstrated its optical communications technology by receiving laser transmissions from NASA's Orion spacecraft during its Artemis II mission, achieving data rates of 260 Mbps from lunar distances.

Observable also plans to expand production of its deployable optical telescope systems under the newly awarded Space Force contract.

The funding comes as governments and commercial operators continue investing in higher-bandwidth communications networks and improved space domain awareness capabilities.

Optical communications and sensing technologies are one of several approaches being pursued to address growing data transmission and orbital tracking requirements as the number of spacecraft in orbit continues to increase.

Lux Capital partner Shahin Farshchi said, "Fiber optics built the terrestrial internet; free-space optics will be the backbone of orbital infrastructure, from defense applications to the bandwidth AI compute demands."

Image Credits: Observable Space