Infinite Orbits acquires UK startup Lunasa to expand satellite servicing capabilities
LONDON – In-orbit services provider Infinite Orbits announced plans March 3 to acquireLondon-based in-orbit servicing and manufacturing startup Lunasa, marking a step in the company's expansion into the United Kingdom.
The acquisition, the value of which the companies didn't disclose, will bring together the Infinite Orbits' and Lunasa's investments into complementary spacecraft rendezvous and life extension technology.
Founded in France in 2017, Infinite Orbits launched its first satellite, Orbit Guard #1, to geostationary orbit in 2023. The company plans to launch its second Orbit Guard satellite in 2026, followed by the third and fourth in 2027.
The Orbit Guard missions are intended to mature the technology for Endurance, the company's satellite life-extension service scheduled for 2027. "Endurance is really our main product. It goes to orbit, docks with a satellite and keeps it in orbit longer," Adel Haddoud, Infinite Orbits CEO and co-founder, said in an interview with SpaceNews.
The hope is that the spacecraft will extend the life of a satellite operated by Luxembourg-based SES by five years. "Life-extension missions in GEO have never been done before by a startup outside the United States," Haddoud said. "So far, we are the only company that announced a commercial Life Extension Mission after the one done by Northrop Grumman in the USA in 2021."
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The company plans to launch additional Endurance spacecraft to serve other satellite operators.
The acquisition of Lunasa fits a dual strategy: strengthening the technology behind its products while expanding the company's commercial footprint across Europe.
"Lunasa invested in rendezvous technologies in LEO, while Infinite Orbits invested in rendezvous technologies in GEO," Haddoud said. "They also have laboratories, docking arms, simulation environments and digital twins that we have not invested in. So we complement each other."
In addition, the deal aligns with Infinite Orbits' broader strategy of entering national defense markets. "If you want to work with defense contractors, you need to have local people and operate under certain conditions. So we are localizing some of our know-how here in the U.K." Haddoud added.
The Lunasa acquisition follows closely the company's purchase of LMO, a Luxembourg-based firm specializing in autonomous space systems. "We're now in Spain, France, Luxembourg and the U.K.," Marion Andrieux, Infinite Orbits chief commercial officer, said to SpaceNews. "With the acquisitions of LMO and Lunasa, we are now close to 200 people from 35 different countries. As we scale up our Orbit Guard missions, having a presence across European countries will help enable collaboration."
The move comes as the UK government increases support for in-orbit servicing technologies. Liz Lloyd, the U.K. minister for the digital economy at the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, recently announced a 105 million pound ($140 million) package dedicated to the sector.
Paul Bate, CEO of the UK Space Agency, welcomed the acquisition. in an Infinite Orbit press release. "This acquisition is a vote of confidence in British engineering talent and the great team at Lunasa, and it strengthens the ecosystem we need to deliver new satellite life-extension and servicing capabilities."
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