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Northwood Space Raises $100M to Expand Ground Station Network

Ars Technica - All content •
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Seeking to capitalize on the growing demand for space data, Northwood Space has secured a $100 million Series B funding round. The company, which emerged from stealth in early 2024, is developing a phased-array radar system, dubbed Portal, to modernize ground station capabilities. They also received a $49.8M contract from the US Space Force.

This funding arrives as the volume of data transmitted from space is rapidly increasing, outpacing the capacity of existing ground stations. Northwood's Portal system utilizes phased-array antennas, enabling it to communicate with multiple satellites simultaneously without needing to be physically repositioned. This technology offers a significant upgrade over traditional parabolic dish antennas.

Northwood aims to address both government and commercial clients. The company has already deployed operational Portal antennas across two continents. With the ability to build eight arrays monthly and plans to increase manufacturing, they are poised to handle hundreds of satellites by 2027. This expansion is crucial for supporting future initiatives.

The Space Force's collaboration reflects a broader need for modernized solutions. As the number of satellites in low-Earth orbit continues to grow, Northwood's technology offers a scalable solution for managing the influx of data. The company is also enthusiastic about supporting the development of orbital data centers, a growing trend in the industry.