Software-defined active phased-array payloads, SATCOM terminals and integrated satellites for space and defense.
CesiumAstro Inc.
Austin, TX (HQ) · Austin, TX (Manufacturing) · El Segundo, CA · Westminster, CO · Milton Keynes, UK · Munich · Taipei · TokyoNew on Amplifa
About CesiumAstro
CesiumAstro is a US company headquartered in Austin, Texas, that develops, manufactures and tests communication systems and satellites for space, airborne and ground platforms. The portfolio includes software-defined active phased-array payloads (including Ka-band and L-band AESA systems of the Vireo product family), Software-Defined Radios and modems, SATCOM terminals, inter-satellite links as well as the fully integrated satellite Element. According to the company, its value chain extends from semiconductor development (mmWave RF-SoC following the Jariet acquisition) through system design and manufacturing to integration and RF testing in its own laboratories. Customers come from space, defense, government programs (including NASA, Space Development Agency) and commercial satellite communications. In addition to several US locations, CesiumAstro operates offices in Milton Keynes (UK), Munich (CesiumAstro Germany GmbH, Balanstraße 71a), Singapore, Taipei and Tokyo. The company is certified to AS9100D and ISO 9001.
- Site
- Austin, TX, USA
- Processes
- Software-defined active phased array payloads (design, manufacturing, integration), Manufacturing of phased-array communication payloads (Ka-band, L-band, AESA), Software-Defined Radios (SDR) and modems for satellites, ground stations, HAPS and, Satellite integration (fully integrated satellites, Element platform), Design and construction of electronics and communication systems (terrestrial and aerospace), RF testing, calibration and over-the-air testing of phased arrays (parametric characterization), Semiconductor design (mmWave RF-SoC, ASICs, high-speed data converters), Satellite mass manufacturing (mass-manufacturability, single satellite to full constellations)
- Materials
- Active Electronically Scanned Antennas (AESA/Phased Array), Software-Defined Radios, mmWave RF System-on-Chip
- Certificates
- AS9100D, ISO 9001:2015 (included in AS9100D), ISO 9001:2015, ITAR Registration
- Founded
- 2017
- Industries
- Space, Defense/National Security, Commercial Satellite Communications, Government Programs (NASA, SDA), Airborne and Ground Platforms
- 01
RF semiconductor design (mmWave RF-SoC)
- 02
System and payload engineering
- 03
Manufacturing of phased-array modules
- 04
Integration of antennas, beamforming and software
- 05
RF testing and calibration
- 06
Satellite integration and delivery
Processes & Technologies
Active Electronically Scanned Antennas (AESA/Phased Array)
Ka-band and L-band arrays with a software-defined digital backend for multi-beam connectivity.
Software-Defined Radios
Modem-agnostic radio systems for satellites, ground stations, HAPS and airborne platforms.
mmWave RF System-on-Chip
Direct RF/IF sampling with digital beamforming for SATCOM, electronic warfare and radar.
Locations
Austin, Texas (Headquarters)
USHeadquarters
Austin, Texas (Manufacturing)
USManufacturing
- Keysight PNA-X network analyzer
- RF test chambers
- Antenna test ranges
- Environmental test stands
El Segundo, California
USSystems Engineering
Westminster, Colorado
USMission Systems
Milton Keynes, United Kingdom
UKWireless Communications (formerly TXMission)
Munich
DEBusiness Development and Engineering (CesiumAstro Germany GmbH)
Taipei, Taiwan
TWOperations, Business & Product Development
Tokyo, Japan
JPBusiness Development
Products & Assemblies
Inside the production
Industries
Processes & technical limits
| Processes | Tolerance | Max. part | Weight | Lot size | Materials |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Software-defined active phased array payloads (design, manufacturing, integration)Assembly | – | – | – | – | – |
| Manufacturing of phased-array communication payloads (Ka-band, L-band, AESA)Assembly | – | – | – | – | – |
| Software-Defined Radios (SDR) and modems for satellites, ground stations, HAPS andAssembly | – | – | – | – | – |
| Satellite integration (fully integrated satellites, Element platform)Assembly | – | – | – | – | – |
| Design and construction of electronics and communication systems (terrestrial and aerospace)Assembly | – | – | – | – | – |
| RF testing, calibration and over-the-air testing of phased arrays (parametric characterization)Testing | – | – | – | – | – |
| Semiconductor design (mmWave RF-SoC, ASICs, high-speed data converters)Engineering | – | – | – | – | – |
| Satellite mass manufacturing (mass-manufacturability, single satellite to full constellations)Assembly | – | – | – | – | – |
4 Anlagen & Maschinen
| Machine | Manufacturer / model | Quantity | Working area | Year built | Site |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Network analyzer (PNA-X, for phased-array calibration) | Keysight Technologies PNA-X | – | – | – | CesiumAstro sites (including Austin) |
| RF chambers (high-performance test chambers) | – | several | – | – | CesiumAstro RF labs |
| Antenna ranges (antenna test facilities) | – | – | – | – | CesiumAstro RF labs |
| Environmental test stands | – | – | – | – | CesiumAstro RF labs |
Additional services
Reference customers
Quality & Certification
CesiumAstro is certified to AS9100D (including ISO 9001:2015); the multi-site audit certification was achieved in 2021 for the Austin and Denver locations. In addition, the company is ITAR-registered and operates RF laboratories with network analyzers, RF chambers, antenna ranges and environmental test stands for characterization, calibration and over-the-air testing.
| Evidence | Austin | Westminster |
|---|---|---|
| AS9100D | ||
| ISO 9001:2015 | ||
| ITAR Registration |
Company History
- 2017
CesiumAstro founded by Shey Sabripour in Austin, Texas.
- 2019
Series A financing round of USD 12.4 million completed.
- 2020
Opening of a spacecraft design and engineering site in Broomfield, Colorado.
- 2021
AS9100D certification achieved; preparation of the first satellite launch (Cesium Mission 1) with the Defense Innovation Unit.
- 2023
Acquisition of TXMission Ltd. (UK, software-defined radios/modems); first presence in the United Kingdom; delivery of 7 Vireo payloads to Raytheon for the SDA Tranche 1 Tracking Layer.
- 2024
Cooperation with Axiom Space for the communication system of the AxEMU lunar spacesuit; NASA MSFC contract for LunaNet AFS navigation hardware; USD 65 million Series B+ (total USD 156 million in equity).
- 2026
Acquisition of Jariet Technologies (mmWave RF-SoC semiconductors); launch of the Element satellite planned for fall 2026.