U-Space has just inaugurated France’s first factory dedicated to nanosatellites, marking its ambition in the European space ecosystem.
But who’s behind this promising young company?
End-to-end support
Founded in 2018 by engineers Fabien Apper, Antoine Ressouche and a third partner who has since left the project, U-Space specializes in the design and manufacture of satellites weighing up to 100 kilograms, providing turnkey services based on next-generation modular nanosatellites.
Its offer ranges from preliminary studies to construction, with operational support to maintain in-orbit infrastructures, all supported by modern tools such as a control center, simulators and mission analysis software. On the technical side, its nanosatellites incorporate electric propulsion systems for critical maneuvers such as collision avoidance.
“At U-Space we believe that the drive for miniaturization never stops. We are passionate about these technical and innovative challenges, which are at the heart of ambitious projects to improve life on Earth,” writes the startup on its website.”
Major projects underway
Logically based in Toulouse, the company currently employs 72 people. It built up its experience by participating in the development of the EyeSat nanosatellite for the Centre national d’études spatiales (CNES). The company then won a tender for the design of NESS, again on behalf of CNES.
Launched in 2023 by Vega, this nanosatellite aims to demonstrate the ability of a small satellite to monitor the civil radio-frequency spectrum on a global scale, by validating miniaturized technologies for the detection and localization of interfering transmitters.
This experience has enabled U-Space to win nine contracts with major industry names. These include the twenty-kilogram Soap satellite, which will monitor space debris, and Pandora, which will improve signal accuracy for autonomous vehicles.
Big ambitions
Projects that confirm its potential to become a strategic player in the European space ecosystem. U-Space has big ambitions, and sees itself as the largest manufacturer of nanosatellites on the Old Continent. And what better way to achieve this than with its own manufacturing plant? Located beneath the company’s offices, it is expected to produce one nanosatellite per week by 2028.
The company, which is establishing itself as a major player in the French new space sector, plans to raise a further 15 million euros next year.
- Startup U-Space inaugurates France’s first nanosatellite factory.
- It has won nine nanosatellite contracts.
- U-Space aims to establish itself in the European market, and even dominate it.