Welcome to the annual Via Smallsat edition — where Via Satellite rebrands to focus on the smallsat industry. We are thrilled to present the third group of Rising Stars, a group of 25 exemplary young professionals, 35 and under. This year we received more than 150 nominations — a sign of just how much incredible work and enthusiasm young professionals are bringing to the space industry. Congratulations to the Rising Stars and a deep thank you to everyone that submitted a nomination for this program.
Also an annual feature in this edition, we highlight 10 Smallsat Startups to Watch, a list of early-stage startups from around the world doing interesting things in space. This year the list has some companies focused on in-orbit computing and space defense capabilities, two areas that are drawing a lot of attention right now. Now in its fifth year, this annual feature has now highlighted 50 startups on the rise. Many of the companies that have been on this list over the years are now heavy-hitters in the sector.
Explore the August 2026 Issue
Check out more from this issue and find your next story to read.
In our main smallsat market story, freelancer Leandra Bernstein takes a close look at the smallsat manufacturing landscape. The amount of innovation in this area is incredible; companies are rapidly scaling up manufacturing capacity and investing in new manufacturing technologies. And Shaun Waterman digs into a new frontier in communications — the Moon. He interviewed a number of companies building missions that will shape lunar connectivity for the coming age of lunar commercialization.
The Via Satellite team is excited to see many of you this month during the Small Satellite Conference in Utah, and next month at World Space Business Week in Paris.
