NewOrbit, a UK-based satellite technology company, has raised €16 million (approximately $18.5 million) in Series A funding to accelerate its commercial satellite operations in very low Earth orbit.
The funding round was led by Voyager Ventures, with participation from Atlantic.vc, Lifeline Ventures, LGF, and Illusian. The Reading-headquartered company, founded in 2021, plans to deploy the capital towards constructing its NEO Production Complex and launching its first commercial satellite.
Targeting an Underutilized Orbital Zone
NewOrbit’s focus on very low Earth orbit (VLEO) represents a departure from conventional satellite deployment strategies. The orbital region, positioned at altitudes where atmospheric drag poses significant technical challenges, has historically been avoided by commercial operators due to perceived operational difficulties.
According to Anatolii Papulov, a key figure at NewOrbit, this perception misses a critical opportunity. “For sixty years, VLEO has been treated as too hostile an environment for commercial satellites — but it is in fact the most valuable empty real estate in space,” he stated.
The company’s approach suggests that with proper engineering and operational frameworks, VLEO presents substantial commercial advantages that have remained largely untapped by the existing satellite industry.
Building Production Capacity
The funding will enable NewOrbit to establish dedicated manufacturing infrastructure through its NEO Production Complex, moving beyond concept validation toward sustained commercial operations. This production capacity represents a critical step in transitioning from prototype development to revenue-generating satellite deployments.
The company’s timeline indicates plans to launch commercial satellites within the near term, positioning it among an emerging cohort of European spacetech ventures seeking to capture specific orbital niches and service markets.
Growing European Spacetech Investment
NewOrbit’s funding success reflects broader momentum in the European spacetech sector. The continent has seen increasing venture capital interest in space-focused startups over recent years, driven by declining launch costs, growing demand for satellite services, and recognition of space infrastructure’s strategic importance.
The diverse investor syndicate backing NewOrbit—spanning specialist spacetech investors and broader venture firms—demonstrates the appeal of differentiated satellite concepts to multiple investor profiles. This funding pattern aligns with Europe’s growing ecosystem of space companies operating across various segments, from launch services to in-orbit manufacturing and satellite communications.
As traditional satellite operators continue focusing on established orbital regimes, companies like NewOrbit represent the experimental edge of the European space industry, testing new operational models and orbital zones to unlock previously inaccessible opportunities.