Brenda Marie Rivers
Microsatellite technology maker Umbra has received $32 million during a recent funding round and is planning to use the financing to continue spacecraft production and support commercial launch efforts.
The Santa Barbara, California-based company said Saturday the equity financing round was led by John Burbank’s family office venture fund and included current Umbra investors such as Starbridge Ventures, PonValley, CrossCut Ventures and Hemisphere Ventures.
Umbra produces synthetic aperture radar microsatellites designed to capture imagery with a resolution of less than 25 cm ground sample distance during the day or night and in all weather conditions.
The company seeks to reduce radar data costs through its remote-sensing offerings which can be integrated with web platforms.
In addition, Umbra noted that it aims to establish itself as the only vendor of 25-cm GSD radar technology through the company's license from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Supporting customers’ direct-satellite access and other pilot initiatives while expanding its teams in the Santa Barbara and Austin, Texas offices are also part of the company's plan.
Umbra’s recent funding comes after the company received approval to patent its proprietary deployable antenna that can launch multiple payloads for a SpaceX rideshare mission.
Various commercial and government entities have also worked with Umbra to collate satellite data for geospatial intelligence applications.
