SpinLaunch has secured $30 million in fresh financing to push forward the Meridian Space project, a low-Earth orbit satellite constellation aimed at delivering a cost-efficient, open-architecture broadband solution.
The funding round features lead investment from ATW Partners, with a strategic stake coming from Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace. SpinLaunch says the capital will accelerate Meridian Space toward its first customer link in the second half of 2026 and speed up go-to-market efforts.
SpinLaunch describes Meridian Space as a highly differentiated LEO satcom system designed to be cost-effective and adaptable, thanks in part to an open architecture. A key technology element highlighted by the company is a reconfigurable reflectarray antenna, which SpinLaunch says enables multi-band operation without the high cost and complexity of traditional satellite antennas.
David Wrenn, SpinLaunch’s chief innovation officer, noted that validating the reconfigurable reflectarray antenna through full-scale testing confirms its multi-band capability while reducing mass, power use, and system complexity. He framed this as a critical step in bringing Meridian Space to fruition and achieving the project’s technical and operational goals.
In its release, SpinLaunch emphasized that Meridian Space will feature the compact, energy-efficient reconfigurable reflectarray antenna as a core differentiator from conventional satellite antennas. Early commercial traction is presented as evidence of growing demand for a cost-efficient LEO satcom solution that can operate within an open-architecture framework.
Analysts and observers may view the backing by Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace as a signal of potential defense and aerospace synergies alongside commercial broadband ambitions. If successful, Meridian Space could offer a flexible platform that’s easier to upgrade and integrate with evolving ground networks, potentially lowering barriers to entry for service providers and enterprises seeking global connectivity.
Summary: SpinLaunch’s $30 million funding round for Meridian Space underscores momentum in the development of a cost-efficient, open-architecture LEO broadband constellation, with a reconfigurable antenna core and a 2026 target for first customer connectivity.
Additional thoughts: The collaboration with Kongsberg and the emphasis on an open, multi-band architecture may position Meridian Space to pursue both civilian and dual-use applications, expanding opportunities beyond traditional consumer broadband. The timeline remains ambitious, so progress will hinge on successful satellite manufacturing, deployment, and ground-network integration alongside regulatory approvals and market adoption. If all goes to plan, this could mark a meaningful step forward in broader, more affordable global satellite connectivity.