Explorer 1 Fund

Ursa Major Technologies specializes in developing advanced propulsion solutions tailored for the microsatellite and nanosatellite launch market. Founded in 2015 and based in Berthoud, Colorado, the company focuses on creating high-performance propulsion engines that utilize a combustion system powered by liquid oxygen and kerosene. By employing innovative manufacturing techniques, over 80% of its engines are produced using additively manufactured components crafted from proprietary materials. Ursa Major aims to provide aerospace clients with reliable, cost-effective engines that enhance boost propulsion capabilities for various vehicles within the microsatellite category, as well as for hypersonic applications.

Continuum Space Systems develops a Unified Mission Management platform aimed at enhancing the planning and execution of space missions. This software as a service (SaaS) tool allows companies to efficiently manage all stages of a mission, from ideation through design to operational execution. By providing advanced technological solutions, the platform enables organizations to conduct space missions that are safer, less risky, and more cost-effective.

Lynk Global, Inc. is a mobile network technology company based in Falls Church, Virginia, founded in 2016. The company specializes in providing broadband communication services directly to Internet of Things (IoT) devices and mobile phones. Lynk Global offers satellite-based telecommunication services that enable standard mobile phones to connect globally without requiring any modifications to hardware or software. By utilizing low-earth-orbit satellites, Lynk Global aims to deliver universal connectivity, ensuring users can 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.

Ursa Major Technologies specializes in developing advanced propulsion solutions tailored for the microsatellite and nanosatellite launch market. Founded in 2015 and based in Berthoud, Colorado, the company focuses on creating high-performance propulsion engines that utilize a combustion system powered by liquid oxygen and kerosene. By employing innovative manufacturing techniques, over 80% of its engines are produced using additively manufactured components crafted from proprietary materials. Ursa Major aims to provide aerospace clients with reliable, cost-effective engines that enhance boost propulsion capabilities for various vehicles within the microsatellite category, as well as for hypersonic applications.

Hedron is focused on developing a network of data relay satellites that facilitate real-time communication between Earth and space. Their modular and scalable system employs a hybrid RF-optical communication approach, providing connectivity for low-Earth orbit satellites. Hedron's imaging satellites generate valuable data that address critical global challenges, including food and water security, climate change monitoring, and disaster mitigation. By offering a series of data relay nodes, the company enables clients to optimize the global economy and enhance understanding of the planet, paving the way for innovation and improved insights in various sectors.

Space Perspective Inc. is a spaceflight company that offers tourists the opportunity to experience the edge of space through its innovative high-altitude balloon, Neptune. Established in 2019 and headquartered in Merritt Island, Florida, the company operates its first flight center on Florida's Space Coast, strategically located near NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. The flights launch from the historic runway used by the Space Shuttle. Passengers travel in a pressurized capsule that ascends via a stratospheric balloon, reaching an altitude of several kilometers. They remain at this height for approximately two hours before descending slowly and safely back to Earth, where they splash down in the ocean and are retrieved by a boat. Space Perspective aims to expand its operations to additional launch locations, including Cecil Spaceport in Florida, Hawaii, and Alaska, as part of its mission to facilitate human exploration of space for the benefit of all.