Eclipse Space Launches to Build 100-Kilogram Megaconstellation Satellites for Governments and Companies
Updated
Updated · SpaceNews · Jun 26
Eclipse Space Launches to Build 100-Kilogram Megaconstellation Satellites for Governments and Companies
2 articles · Updated · SpaceNews · Jun 26
Summary
Redmond-based Eclipse Space emerged from stealth on June 26, saying it will ship its first customer hardware later in 2026 and fly an integrated demonstration spacecraft in 2027.
About 30 employees — roughly half from Starlink — are pitching a fabless model that designs and owns satellite IP while regional partners assemble spacecraft, aiming to make sovereign constellations cheaper for governments and enterprises.
An under-100-kilogram demo satellite will test Eclipse’s bus and two in-house instruments, while later operational spacecraft are planned with dual S-band phased arrays, V-band inter-satellite links and 8 kilowatts of power.
Eclipse also acquired the engineering team behind Agent Studio from Rendered.ai, adding in-house AI tools to speed satellite design as it initially targets direct-to-device services.
Founder Derek Huerta said the startup is backed by undisclosed outside funding and is targeting countries that now have few end-to-end alternatives beyond renting foreign capacity or turning to China.
As SpaceX veterans challenge their old boss, is the era of vertically integrated space giants ending?
With AI designing national satellite fleets, who really controls the critical infrastructure in orbit?
New Megaconstellation Contender: Eclipse Space Unveils 100kg-Class Satellites for Government and Enterprise Sovereignty
Overview
Eclipse Space, founded by former SpaceX engineers, officially launched on June 26, 2026, as a new force in satellite megaconstellations. The company focuses on delivering 100-kilogram-class satellites for government and enterprise clients, aiming to meet the rising demand for robust and scalable space infrastructure. With immediate plans to deliver key hardware like phased arrays and TT&C radios, Eclipse Space is preparing for a 2027 demonstration spacecraft launch to showcase its advanced technology. This emergence highlights the growing importance of sovereign control over space infrastructure, which is rapidly reshaping global industry and strategic power balances.