Fortastra raises $30 million to build maneuverable space security satellites

What happened

Los Angeles-based space startup Fortastra has raised $30 million in new funding to design, build, and launch its next generation of highly maneuverable satellites. The major capital injection, which the company announced on Thursday, follows closely on the heels of its first successful orbital mission last week.

The newly secured funding will be used to complete the design, development, and production of Fortastra's next two prototype space vehicles. The company has set a target to launch these two advanced spacecraft in early 2028, building directly on the operational lessons and technical data gathered from its initial orbital tests.

Why maneuverable satellites matter

Fortastra is focusing on a specialized and increasingly vital corner of the modern aerospace industry: dynamic, on-orbit operations. While traditional satellites are largely static, navigating along rigid orbital paths once they are deployed, Fortastra is developing spacecraft that can maneuver actively in space.

These vehicles are designed to deliver what the industry calls "on-orbit effects"—a broad term that encompasses active space security, defensive maneuvering, and physical protection for high-value assets in orbit.

As orbits become increasingly congested and geopolitically contested, the demand for maneuverable spacecraft is rising sharply. Military agencies and commercial satellite operators alike are looking for reliable ways to protect expensive space-based assets from physical collisions, orbital debris, and potential hostile interference. By demonstrating that it can both launch functional hardware and secure substantial venture funding, Fortastra is positioning itself as a formidable competitor in the emerging national security space market.

Testing the tech

The funding announcement comes at a moment of significant momentum for the startup. Just last week, Fortastra successfully launched its first pair of spacecraft, named Watchdog V0, into low-Earth orbit.

The satellites were carried aloft as part of a SpaceX Transporter 18 rideshare mission and were successfully deployed. Fortastra is currently using this first pair of Watchdog vehicles as research testbeds to validate its guidance, navigation, and control systems in the harsh environment of space. The data from this mission will feed directly into the design of the upcoming 2028 prototypes.

The company has not yet disclosed the specific investors backing this latest $30 million round, nor has it detailed the exact payload or sensor configurations for the upcoming 2028 prototypes. However, with its Watchdog V0 satellites already in orbit and fresh capital in the bank, the Los Angeles startup has established a clear path toward testing more advanced space security capabilities.