NewOrbit, a UK-based space technology company developing satellites for very low Earth orbit (VLEO), has raised $18.5 million in an oversubscribed Series A round led by Voyager Ventures. The round included participation from angel investors such as David Kirk, former Chief Scientist at NVIDIA, Lawrence Leuschner, co-founder of TIER Mobility, Custos Family Office, and existing investors Atlantic.vc, Lifeline Ventures, LGF, and Illusian.
Opening a New Space Category
Very low Earth orbit, located between 200 and 300 kilometers above Earth, has remained largely inaccessible due to extreme aerodynamic drag, atomic oxygen corrosion, and orbital instability. NewOrbit developed NEO-1, a satellite designed to withstand these conditions using a proprietary propulsion system, enabling operations in VLEO for up to five years.
“For sixty years, VLEO has been treated as too hostile for commercial satellites. It is in fact the most valuable empty real estate in space.” — Anatolii Papulov, CEO and co-founder
Advantages of Flying Closer to Earth
Operating in VLEO allows satellites to deliver significantly higher performance than conventional orbital systems. Applications include ultra-high-resolution Earth observation, direct-to-phone 5G connectivity without additional hardware, and advanced capabilities such as space-based LiDAR and live HD video.
Industry Leaders Join Advisory Board
NewOrbit announced the appointment of Jean-Jacques Dordain, former Director General of the European Space Agency, to its advisory board. Dordain joins Sir Chris Deverell, former Commander of UK Joint Forces, supporting the company’s mission to establish VLEO as a new commercial space category.
“VLEO is one of the few genuinely new commercial categories remaining in space, and opening it requires a rare combination of engineering excellence and institutional discipline. NewOrbit has both, and the fact that this category is being defined from the UK is significant for European space.” — Jean-Jacques Dordain, Director General of the European Space Agency (2003-2015)
“I believe VLEO will become a critical layer of future space infrastructure, supporting both commercial and national security missions. I’m proud that this capability is being built in the UK, helping to establish Britain as a leader in next-generation space technology.” — Sir Chris Deverell, former Commander of UK Joint Forces
Scaling Commercial Deployment
The funding will support construction of the NEO Production Complex, scheduled to open in 2027. The facility will assemble NewOrbit’s first commercial satellite mission for launch in 2028 and scale production from 10 satellites annually to several per week. At full capacity, the site is expected to become Europe’s largest dedicated VLEO manufacturing facility.