Top 100 Space startups in USA
Jan 10, 2026
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25
1
Funding: $187M
Luminary Cloud is developing a physical AI platform based on NVIDIA's PhysicsNeMo framework for design of propulsion systems and other spacecraft components. Physical AI enables radically shorter design cycles, unlock critical capabilities and delivernext-generation systems faster. The platform replaces legacy computational fluid dynamics (CFD)-based simulation systems that are based on conventional CPUs and require months of computing time and multi-million budgets. Luminary Cloud integrates GPU simulation, large-scale data generation and model training into a single "physical AI factory." By reducing risks and testing of propulsion systems, it becomes possible to produce spacecraft faster, with higher performance and greater reliability.
Luminary Cloud is developing a physical AI platform based on NVIDIA's PhysicsNeMo framework for design of propulsion systems and other spacecraft components. Physical AI enables radically shorter design cycles, unlock critical capabilities and delivernext-generation systems faster. The platform replaces legacy computational fluid dynamics (CFD)-based simulation systems that are based on conventional CPUs and require months of computing time and multi-million budgets. Luminary Cloud integrates GPU simulation, large-scale data generation and model training into a single "physical AI factory." By reducing risks and testing of propulsion systems, it becomes possible to produce spacecraft faster, with higher performance and greater reliability.
2
Funding: $400K
Astrum is developing a fuel-free space propulsion system powered entirely by electricity. It utilizes the thermodynamic process of liquid-to-gas and gas-to-liquid (which leads to complex momentum transfer effects) to generate useful thrust. This technology extends the lifespan of satellites (satellites typically die after 5-10 years due to fuel shortages), reduces their launch mass (which is $10,000–$20,000 per kg) and ensures continuous maneuverability. The electric propulsion system delivers 50 mN of continuous thrust, sufficient to maintain a satellite in orbit. The company has conducted laboratory testing, demonstrating repeatable, measurable, fuel-free thrust and confirmed its readiness for orbital testing.
Astrum is developing a fuel-free space propulsion system powered entirely by electricity. It utilizes the thermodynamic process of liquid-to-gas and gas-to-liquid (which leads to complex momentum transfer effects) to generate useful thrust. This technology extends the lifespan of satellites (satellites typically die after 5-10 years due to fuel shortages), reduces their launch mass (which is $10,000–$20,000 per kg) and ensures continuous maneuverability. The electric propulsion system delivers 50 mN of continuous thrust, sufficient to maintain a satellite in orbit. The company has conducted laboratory testing, demonstrating repeatable, measurable, fuel-free thrust and confirmed its readiness for orbital testing.
3
Funding: $434.3M
Ursa Major provides a propulsion system for space launch, hypersonics, and national security.
Ursa Major provides a propulsion system for space launch, hypersonics, and national security.
4
Funding: $425.5M
K2 Space specializes in building large satellites that serve as platforms for multiple third-party modules. These satellites became possible with the advent of large launch vehicles like the Falcon 9. Their advantage is high reliability and lower launch/servicing costs for each individual module. This is important for commercial, scientific and defense applications. The company's first satellite, K2 Mega (scheduled for launch in 2026), can carry a payload of up to one ton. It' designed for multi-orbit operations, protected from the harshest conditions of the solar system and is engineered with redundancy and reliability techniques historically reserved for crewed spacecraft like Dragon and the Space Shuttle. Its $15 million cost was achieved through the development of new systems, such as power supply, attitude control, thermal management.
K2 Space specializes in building large satellites that serve as platforms for multiple third-party modules. These satellites became possible with the advent of large launch vehicles like the Falcon 9. Their advantage is high reliability and lower launch/servicing costs for each individual module. This is important for commercial, scientific and defense applications. The company's first satellite, K2 Mega (scheduled for launch in 2026), can carry a payload of up to one ton. It' designed for multi-orbit operations, protected from the harshest conditions of the solar system and is engineered with redundancy and reliability techniques historically reserved for crewed spacecraft like Dragon and the Space Shuttle. Its $15 million cost was achieved through the development of new systems, such as power supply, attitude control, thermal management.
5
Funding: $23.9M
Starcloud offers cloud computing and data relay to satellites in space. The company has already launched a satellite with an Nvidia H100 GPU into orbit, becoming the first to launch a LLM on a powerful Nvidia GPU beyond Earth. The satellite also carries Gemma, Google's open source large-scale language model. This makes it the world's first data center for AI in space.
Starcloud offers cloud computing and data relay to satellites in space. The company has already launched a satellite with an Nvidia H100 GPU into orbit, becoming the first to launch a LLM on a powerful Nvidia GPU beyond Earth. The satellite also carries Gemma, Google's open source large-scale language model. This makes it the world's first data center for AI in space.
6
Funding: $11.8B
SpaceX is an aviation and aerospace company that operates a network of sattelites and designs, manufactures and launches advanced rockets and spacecraft.
SpaceX is an aviation and aerospace company that operates a network of sattelites and designs, manufactures and launches advanced rockets and spacecraft.
7
Funding: $2.8B
Northrop Grumman is an aerospace, defense, and security company that offers technology and security solutions.
Northrop Grumman is an aerospace, defense, and security company that offers technology and security solutions.
8
Funding: $1.7B
Sierra Space is a commercial space company that specializes in the development of advanced space technologies and solutions. Sierra is also developing a reusable vehicle called Dream Chaser, with the aim of using it to deliver cargo and crew to and from its station.
Sierra Space is a commercial space company that specializes in the development of advanced space technologies and solutions. Sierra is also developing a reusable vehicle called Dream Chaser, with the aim of using it to deliver cargo and crew to and from its station.
9
Funding: $1.4B
Relativity Space is an aerospace company that designs, develops, and builds 3D printed rockets.
Relativity Space is an aerospace company that designs, develops, and builds 3D printed rockets.
10
Funding: $1.2B
Rocket Lab delivers a range of complete rocket systems and technologies for fast and low-cost payload deployment.
Rocket Lab delivers a range of complete rocket systems and technologies for fast and low-cost payload deployment.
