Satellite operators, especially those managing Earth observation constellations, face a critical challenge: reliably and affordably transmitting massive amounts of data from space to Earth. This has slowed innovation and limited access for new entrants and fast-growing constellations that need real-time, high-throughput connectivity. Skynopy, a French NewSpace startup, is addressing this bottleneck directly.
Their solution? Operators can access a ready-to-use, high-speed ground station network on demand, without the burden of building or maintaining their infrastructure. By virtualising and orchestrating a global network of antennas, Skynopy allows satellite operators to book connectivity as easily as booking cloud computing resources, reducing revisit times to under 20 minutes and doubling data download volumes per pass, all at a fraction of the traditional cost.
Skynopy’s rapid growth and technical execution have recently been supercharged by a €15 million funding round, closed in just one month, less than 18 months after the company’s creation. The round was led by Alven, with Expansion, Omnes, and CNES (via the SpaceFounders program) joining, alongside continued support from Heartcore.
This new capital will accelerate the deployment of a global network of high-throughput ground stations (S, X, and Ka bands), enabling real-time satellite data downlink services, particularly for Earth observation constellations, and further solidifying Skynopy’s leadership in the space connectivity market.
Founders with a vision for seamless space connectivity
Skynopy was founded in October 2023 by Pierre Bertrand (CEO) and Antonin Hirsch (CTO), both former executives at Loft Orbital. “We are two engineers in aerospace, with different backgrounds… I studied in France, then went to MIT in the US,” shares Pierre Bertrand with TFN. The duo met while working at Loft Orbital, a satellite operator that raised significant funding and helped them see the industry’s challenges firsthand. “Loft Orbital started their journey in San Francisco… raised to 300 million… that was pretty successful. We saw… that was a satellite operator.”
Their experience revealed a glaring gap in the ground segment. “The space business is based on three pillars: launchers, satellites, and ground stations,” Bertrand explains. While new technology and lower costs have revolutionised the first two pillars, ground stations have lagged behind. “Ground stations… are becoming the real bottleneck because the first two pillars have been completely disrupted in terms of price and technologies… but nothing has been done for the third pillar,” he notes.
Satellite operators require a dense network of ground stations (antennas) to communicate with their satellites as they pass overhead. This is vital for sending telecommands to capture new images of the Earth and downloading those images. Investing in their antenna infrastructure previously involved significant capital expenditure. Skynopy now offers this service for them. During the ground phase, when satellites are being designed and tested, Skynopy assists operators with technical support to maximise mission performance.
Once the satellite is in orbit, Skynopy offers a software interface for booking ground antennas managed by Skynopy. When a satellite passes over one of these antennas, Skynopy points it at the satellite to enable data transmission in both directions — between the satellite and the customer’s command and control centre. The customer pays based on Skynopy’s antenna network usage.
Skynopy’s technology and competitive edge
At the heart of Skynopy’s offering is a hybrid network model. The company rapidly expanded its reach by integrating third-party ground stations, striking strategic partnerships with industry leaders like AWS and Kinéis, and deploying its proprietary antennas. Within less than a year, Skynopy added more than 15 antennas to its network, combining third-party integrations and partnerships with its deployments. This swift execution has enabled Skynopy to catch up with international competitors, who sometimes took nearly a decade to build similar networks.
Skynopy’s software orchestrates antenna scheduling, data routing, and service delivery, while virtualised modem technologies ensure high-throughput downlinks across S, X, and Ka bands. The result is a flexible, modular service that adapts to operators’ needs: those with heavy data demands, such as hyperspectral imagery, video, or synthetic aperture radar (SAR), can double their download volumes without extra cost, while others can halve their costs for smaller data transfers.
“There are a lot of players out there that invested in their satellites and antennas… but many antennas are underused, sometimes only 40% to 60%,” Bertrand observes. Skynopy’s model bridges this spare capacity and scales much faster than traditional approaches, offering flexibility and efficiency for satellite operators.
Skynopy’s model is entirely CAPEX-free for customers, unlike traditional ground station providers. Operators pay only for what they use, with no upfront investment or long-term commitment. Skynopy is also finalising a significant global agreement with a major industry player, a deal that will be announced in the coming weeks.
Growth, innovation, and a unified space network
With the new €15 million funding, Skynopy is poised for rapid expansion. The capital will fuel commercial deployment, strengthen technical and marketing teams, and secure resources for its ambitious AKAR project — a unified, high-speed, real-time space network planned for 2028. This vision aims to fundamentally transform the rules of orbital connectivity, making satellite data access as accessible and seamless as mobile telephony.
“We saw a huge opportunity and demand… so we created Skynopy a bit less than a year and a half ago,” says Bertrand. With its recent funding and rapid execution, Skynopy is well on its way to making satellite connectivity as easy as using a smartphone.
