4 minute read•Updated 2:05 PM EDT, Sat April 5, 2025
SpinLaunch, the startup known for its radical centrifuge-based launch technology, is taking a bold leap into space-based broadband.
The company has announced that it will develop its own 280 satellite internet constellation called Meridian Space; backed by a €122.5 million ($136 million) contract with smallsat manufacturer Kongsberg NanoAvionics
The deal marks a significant expansion of SpinLaunch’s business beyond its signature kinetic launch system. As part of the agreement, NanoAvionics’ parent company, Kongsberg Defence and Aerospace, will also invest $12 million into SpinLaunch, underscoring growing confidence in the startup’s long-term ambitions.
From Radical Launcher to Satellite Operator
Since its founding, SpinLaunch has captured attention with its centrifuge-based launch concept; a system that spins a vehicle to hypersonic speeds before releasing it into the upper atmosphere, potentially replacing the first stage of a conventional rocket. But behind the scenes, the company has quietly been developing its own satellite capabilities.
“In 2020 was really when we doubled down and began investing more heavily in developing our own satellite constellation,” - David Wrenn, CEO of SpinLaunch
The company began regulatory filings with the FCC and International Telecommunication Union in 2021 to secure spectrum rights. Now, with Meridian Space, SpinLaunch is looking to enter the increasingly competitive broadband satellite market; but with a different focus and technological twist.
A High-Performance, Low-Latency Network for Enterprise and Government
Rather than targeting consumers like Starlink or Amazon’s Project Kuiper, SpinLaunch plans to serve enterprise and government customers.
The Meridian system is designed for low-latency, high-reliability performance, with integration of 5G non-terrestrial network (NTN) protocols, military-grade security, and fixed ground track orbits for simpler, more affordable ground stations.
Each Meridian satellite will weigh 70 kilograms and operate at 830 kilometers altitude in fixed-track orbits.
The initial 280-satellite deployment is projected to deliver 2 terabits per second of sellable bandwidth, with eventual scalability to 1,200 satellites operating across the Ka-, Ku-, and V-bands.
“The key differentiator is the technology enables a form factor that dramatically reduces the launch requirements and then ultimately benefits the system from a unit economics standpoint,” - David Wrenn, CEO of SpinLaunch
Spin Launch is also in ongoing discussions with customers interested in buying "hundreds of gigabits per second" of capacity, though no deals have been formally announced.
Strategic Partnership with NanoAvionics
SpinLaunch selected NanoAvionics after an in-depth review of satellite manufacturers.
“I think they’re at a unique tipping point in their own evolution,” - David Wrenn, CEO of SpinLaunch
Under the agreement, NanoAvionics will manufacture the spacecraft platforms, while SpinLaunch will provide the communications payloads.
Demonstration missions for Meridian Space are slated for 2026, with operational launches beginning in late 2027. Commercial service would follow within 12 to 24 months, pending successful fundraising and customer acquisition.
Return to the (Centrifugal) Roots
Despite this pivot toward broadband, SpinLaunch is not abandoning its original mission. The company has also announced it has signed a lease agreement with The Aleut Corporation for land on Adak Island, located in Alaska’s Aleutian chain.
The site will support development of its Orbital Launch System, a centrifuge 100 meters in diameter; a major leap from the company’s suborbital demonstrator at Spaceport America in New Mexico.
“Adak has a unique combination of features that make it a very attractive prospective launch site,” - David Wrenn, CEO of SpinLaunch
Adak provides SpinLaunch with existing infrastructure from a former military base, access to a wide range of orbital inclinations, and minimal air and maritime traffic.
SpinLaunch expects to spend over a year on site assessments and environmental studies, with construction expected to take at least 36 months. Operational capability is still “several years” away and contingent on additional investment.
The revenue from Meridian Space is expected to help fund the ambitious launch system; though potential customers interested in the launch tech itself might accelerate that timeline.
Funding the Future
With this expansion, SpinLaunch is entering one of the most capital-intensive areas of the space industry. Before the Kongsberg investment, the company had last raised $71 million in Series B funding in 2022, bringing total capital raised to $150 million.
SpinLaunch recognizes more funding will be required to bring Meridian Space to full deployment.
