Explorer 1 Fund

Founded in 2015, Ursa Major Technologies specializes in manufacturing advanced propulsion solutions for microsatellite and nanosatellite launch markets. Its products include the Hadley and Ripley engines, which are over 80% additively manufactured using innovative materials and processes.

Continuum Space Systems offers a Unified Mission Management SaaS platform to plan and execute space missions more efficiently. The platform supports planning, simulation, and execution while integrating risk management, real-time decision support, and AI-powered insights. It enables collaboration, reduces uncertainty, and provides an end-to-end framework to manage a mission across its lifecycle from concept to operations for space agencies, contractors, and commercial operators.

Lynk Global, Inc. is a mobile network technology company that specializes in providing broadband communication services for Internet of Things (IoT) devices and mobile phones. Founded in 2016 and headquartered in Falls Church, Virginia, the company delivers satellite-based telecommunication services that enable standard mobile phones to connect globally without the need for hardware or software modifications. By utilizing low-earth-orbit satellites, Lynk Global facilitates universal connectivity, allowing users to access communication services virtually anywhere in the world.

Lunar Outpost is a company dedicated to advancing technology that facilitates sustainable human presence in space, particularly on the lunar surface. It specializes in the development of innovative robotics, including a moon rover designed for autonomous swarm navigation and capable of carrying diverse payloads. Additionally, the company creates Internet of Things (IoT) air quality sensors that monitor and respond to local air quality conditions. This technology not only supports lunar exploration but also aims to have a positive impact on Earth, enabling governments, companies, and communities to establish a sustainable presence in space.

Varda Space Industries, Inc. is a space manufacturing startup based in San Francisco, California, founded in 2020 by Delian Asparouhov and Trae Stephens. The company specializes in creating products in space that are intended for terrestrial applications, leveraging the unique advantages of low gravity. Varda aims to establish an infrastructure for harvesting materials from asteroids, enabling the production of new products in space. This approach not only facilitates the manufacturing of innovative goods but also promotes sustainability by reducing reliance on the destructive extraction of Earth's resources.

Adranos Energetics specializes in the development of advanced propellants and explosives for space and military applications. The company is focused on creating a cost-effective solid rocket propellant called ALITEC, which is designed to be more efficient, powerful, and environmentally friendly compared to traditional options. This innovative propellant not only improves rocket performance by increasing missile range and allowing for smaller, more affordable missiles but also eliminates harmful hydrochloric acid emissions associated with conventional aluminum-based propellants. Adranos aims to enhance the capabilities of both military and private space exploration users by expanding payload capacity and reducing the costs associated with launching into orbit.

Radian Aerospace is innovating the aerospace sector with its next-generation spaceplane, which is the first fully reusable vehicle designed for horizontal takeoff and landing. This single-stage to orbit spacecraft aims to facilitate the transportation of people and light cargo to low Earth orbit as well as various terrestrial locations, operating in a manner similar to conventional aircraft. Radian's vehicles are constructed from advanced materials that can endure extreme conditions and are equipped with propulsion technologies that enhance maneuverability and overall performance. Additionally, they incorporate satellite systems that improve communication capabilities, thereby supporting enhanced missions and operational efficiency within the space industry.

Founded in 2015, Ursa Major Technologies specializes in manufacturing advanced propulsion solutions for microsatellite and nanosatellite launch markets. Its products include the Hadley and Ripley engines, which are over 80% additively manufactured using innovative materials and processes.

Hedron is a company focused on developing a modular and scalable network of data relay satellites designed to enhance data connectivity in space. Their satellite network utilizes a hybrid RF-optical communication system to facilitate real-time communication between Earth and low-earth-orbiting satellites. By offering advanced data connectivity solutions, Hedron aims to address critical global challenges such as food and water security, climate change monitoring, and disaster mitigation. The company's imaging satellites generate valuable data that provide insights to optimize the global economy and improve understanding of the planet. Through its innovative approach, Hedron is positioned to create new opportunities for advancements in space technology and data utilization.

Space Perspective Inc. is a spaceflight company based in Merritt Island, Florida, founded in 2019. It specializes in offering high-altitude balloon trips to the edge of space through its innovative spaceship, Neptune. The company aims to provide unique space travel experiences for tourists, allowing them to witness the curvature of the Earth from a stratospheric altitude. Flights are launched from Florida's Space Coast, specifically from the historic runway used by the Space Shuttle. Space Perspective plans to expand its operations to additional launch sites, including Cecil Spaceport in Florida, Hawaii, and Alaska, among others. The pressurized capsule used for these flights ascends to approximately 100,000 feet, remains at that altitude for two hours, and then descends slowly under the balloon, ultimately splashing down in the ocean for retrieval.