D-Orbit

D-Orbit
Description: D-Orbit is a private aerospace company specializing in space logistics and transportation services. The company focuses on developing and operating orbital transfer vehicles (OTVs), commonly known as space tugs, to streamline satellite deployment, across-orbit transportation, on-orbit servicing, and end-of-mission disposal. D-Orbit aims to create a sustainable space logistics infrastructure to support the growing space economy.
Vision:
To build a space logistics infrastructure that enables service providers to streamline satellite launch, across-orbit transportation, on-orbit servicing and refueling, and end-of-mission disposal.
Mission:
To provide end-to-end solutions that improve new and traditional space businesses by streamlining in-space and on-ground operations with unique, innovative, and proprietary technologies.
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Funding:
  • Series A Funding: Dec 11, 2014, €2.2 million
  • Grant: Feb 1, 2015, €0.05 million
  • Venture Round: Jul 1, 2015, €1.8 million
  • Venture Round: Apr 12, 2020, €10 million
  • Dept Financing : Aug 27, 2020, €15 million
  • Convertible Note : Jan 27, 2022, € million
  • Series C Funding: Nov 9, 2023, €100 million
  • Series C Funding: Sep 27, 2024, €50 million
Total Funding: €197.9 million
Key Milestones:
  • 2011: D-Orbit was founded by Luca Rossettini and Renato Panesi, initially focusing on developing a smart and autonomous decommissioning motor for satellites and launcher stages called D3 (D-Orbit Decommissioning Device).
  • 2017: The company began developing the ION Satellite Carrier, an orbital transfer vehicle designed to host and deploy batches of satellites into custom orbital slots.
  • September 2020: D-Orbit launched its first commercial ION mission, successfully deploying 12 SuperDove satellites for Earth-imaging company Planet Labs.
  • January 2024: The company raised €100 million in Series C funding from investors including Marubeni Corporation, Avantgarde, CDP Venture Capital SGR, Seraphim Space, United Ventures, Indaco Venture Partners, and Neva SGR SpA.
Key People:
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Products & Services:
  • ION Satellite Carrier: An orbital transfer vehicle designed to transport batches of satellites, deploy them into custom orbital slots, and operate third-party payloads. ION can travel across orbits with different orientations, altitudes, and local times of ascending node (LTAN), providing flexible deployment options.
  • In-Orbit Demonstration (IOD) Services: D-Orbit offers IOD services for third-party payloads, providing a plug-and-play mechanical, electrical, and data interface that streamlines integration and in-orbit operations.
  • Space Cloud Computing Platform: In collaboration with Swedish-based AI company Unibap, D-Orbit has developed an in-orbit cloud computing platform and data storage service, enabling advanced data processing capabilities in space.
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