Photo: Spaceflux

Spaceflux has secured 5.4 million pounds ($7.31 million) in seed funding as it looks to expand its global telescope network and accelerate development of AI-powered space situational awareness solutions. The UK Innovation & Science Seed Fund (UKI2S) (managed by Future Planet Capital), Foresight Group, and Blackfinch Ventures co-led the funding round, announced July 25.

Spaceflux’s ground-based optical sensors track satellites and debris across all orbits, combining visible and short-wave Infrared (SWIR) imaging, enabling daylight tracking and characterization of space objects, which expands the observation window beyond night-time operations. The company aims to be a key player in the space surveillance and tracking domain thanks to its proprietary AI-driven analytics and optical sensor systems.

Initially providing data and insights on activity in Geostationary Orbit to the UK Space Agency and the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD), the company hopes this will act as a springboard to more international business.

“This investment marks a significant step in the convergence of defense and space, where dual-use technologies are becoming increasingly important to U.K. capability. Backed by both the UK Space Agency and MOD (Defence & Security Seed – D2S), we are delighted to be leading this round as it underlines the growing importance of resilient, space-based infrastructure,” Alex Leigh, investment director Defence & Security, UKI2S (managed by Future Planet Capital) said in a statement.