SpaceWERX backs 11 firms to scale defense-ready space tech

SpaceWERX named 11 companies for a new STRATFI round to move space technologies from prototype toward operation, with a total potential funding of about $562.5 million (roughly $245 million from government and the rest from private investment). Winners include Agile Space Industries, Antares Nuclear, EO Solutions, Hydrosat, KMI Space, Method Security, Muon Space, Scout Space, Sedaro, Star Catcher Industries and ThinkOrbital. STRATFI awards can reach up to $60 million per company, plus up to $15 million in SBIR funds; these are not contracts yet and teams will negotiate milestones with SpaceWERX and Space Force to prove military applicability and attract outside capital, signaling demand for scaled defense space capabilities.