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TransAstra Corporation

YC S21

Los Angeles, US · Founded 2016 · 8 employees · Hiring · 18 known investors

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TransAstra develops propulsion systems and telescope technology for space operations. The company's Omnivore propulsion system uses concentrated sunlight to power spacecraft with various propellants, while its Sutter Telescope System locates asteroids, orbital debris, and fast-moving objects for commercial and defense applications.

Also known as Trans Astronautica Corporation

Advanced ManufacturingSpace TechSpace ExplorationUnited States of AmericaAmerica / CanadaPartly Remote

Founders & leadership· Y Combinator alumni (S21)

TransAstra Corporation was founded in 2016 by Joel Sercel.

JSJoel Sercel
Joel SercelFounderJoel Sercel holds a PhD in space propulsion and plasma physics from Caltech and has led teams across aerospace engineering, software design, and systems engineering, with experience ranging from small groups to organizations exceeding 100 people.
PW
Philip WahlHead of Engineering
SL
Stanley LoveDirector, Board Member
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Nicole ShumakerVice President of Strategic Partnerships

Investors · 18

Jude Gomilalisted by Jude GomilaLynnwood

How we know: Jude Gomila's portfolio page · Not right? Tell us

Soma Capitallisted by Soma CapitalSacramento · $100K – $300K

How we know: Y Combinator's founder network · somacap.com · Not right? Tell us

Valkyrielisted by ValkyrieSunnyvale
Y Combinatorlisted by Y CombinatorSan Francisco · $500K

How we know: the Y Combinator directory · open dataset · 5k.vc investor directory · Not right? Tell us

Acequia Capital (AceCap)reportedSeattle · $100K – $5M

How we know: Y Combinator's founder network · Not right? Tell us

Cathexis VenturesreportedHouston · $250K – $1M

How we know: Y Combinator's founder network · open dataset · 5k.vc investor directory · Not right? Tell us

Decos Holdinds BVreportedNoordwijk

How we know: Y Combinator's founder network · Not right? Tell us

Global Founders CapitalreportedBerlin · $1M

How we know: Y Combinator's founder network · Not right? Tell us

Grant Park VenturesreportedLos Altos

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Helios CapitalreportedMiami · $25K – $1M

How we know: Y Combinator's founder network · open dataset · 5k.vc investor directory · Not right? Tell us

Helium-3 VenturesreportedNew York

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Lombardstreet VenturesreportedWoodside · $500K

How we know: the VCSheet dataset · Y Combinator's founder network · Not right? Tell us

Sharding Capitalreported

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Sica VenturesreportedColumbus

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Side Door VenturesreportedFernandina Beach · $300K – $5M

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SUNNY VENTURESreportedSanta Monica

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ZillionizereportedPalo Alto · $200K

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Related companies · 8

Capella SpaceCapella Space designs, builds, and operates synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite constellations that provide all-weather, day-and-night Earth observation imagery at sub-0.25m resolution. It offers an automated end-to-end tasking and data delivery platform serving defense and intelligence, maritime, disaster response, and infrastructure monitoring customers.
Bagaveev CorporationBagaveev Corporation develops small launch vehicles powered by 3D-printed aerospike rocket engines, building a roughly 3-ton rocket to carry 10-12 kg nanosatellites into low Earth orbit and Sun-synchronous orbit. It serves customers in the aerospace and satellite launch industry.
Relativity SpaceRelativity Space develops Terran R, a reusable medium-to-heavy-lift rocket designed for efficiency and scalability, serving government entities, telecommunications companies, and commercial customers for space access missions. The company focuses on making space exploration more accessible, reliable, and sustainable.
AstraAstra provides dedicated orbital launch services and manufactures electric propulsion systems for satellites. The company serves government and commercial customers seeking responsive space access and on-orbit satellite operations.
AstranisAstranis manufactures small, high-powered geosynchronous satellites equipped with advanced digital processing technology for global telecommunications and connectivity services.
TesseractTesseract designs and manufactures spacecraft propulsion hardware, including off-the-shelf thrusters, multi-thruster modules, and complete propulsion systems for space missions. The company prioritizes low-toxicity green propellants, cost-effective manufacturing, and flight-qualified reliability for aerospace applications.
MomentusA space transportation and infrastructure services company providing launch capabilities and orbital logistics for satellites and cargo.
AstroForgeAstroForge is a space mining company that extracts platinum group metals and other valuable materials from asteroids to integrate into Earth's supply chains. The company aims to reduce reliance on terrestrial mining by developing commercial deep-space resource extraction missions.

Companies working in the same space as TransAstra Corporation.

Non-dilutive funding · 10 SBIR/STTR awards

Federal grants — no equity taken
AgencyPhaseYearAmount
U.S. Air ForceAir ForcePhase II2023$1.2M
U.S. Air ForceAir ForcePhase II2023$1.2M
U.S. Air ForceAir ForcePhase II2023$1.2M
NASAPhase II2023$849.3K
NASAPhase I2023$149.8K
U.S. Air ForceAir ForcePhase ISTTR2023$75K
U.S. Air ForceAir ForcePhase I2023$74.8K
NASAPhase I2021$125K
NASAPhase I2021$124.8K
NASAPhase I2017$124.1K

Source: SBIR.gov award data (U.S. Small Business Administration). SBIR/STTR awards are competitive federal R&D grants and contracts — non-dilutive capital alongside any venture rounds above.

Legal entities · 1

corporate structure
Trans Astronautica Corporation

In the news

TransAstra Awarded Two Contracts to Develop Critical Emerging Technologies in Orbital Debris Removal and Space Domain Awarenessglobenewswire.com · Dec 2022

Frequently asked questions

What does TransAstra Corporation do?
TransAstra develops propulsion systems and telescope technology for space operations. The company's Omnivore propulsion system uses concentrated sunlight to power spacecraft with various propellants, while its Sutter Telescope System locates asteroids, orbital debris, and fast-moving objects for commercial and defense applications.
Who founded TransAstra Corporation?
TransAstra Corporation was founded by Joel Sercel in 2016.
Who are TransAstra Corporation's investors?
TransAstra Corporation's investors include Gaingels, Jude Gomila, Soma Capital, Valkyrie, Y Combinator, Acequia Capital (AceCap), Cathexis Ventures, Decos Holdinds BV and 10 more.
Where is TransAstra Corporation headquartered?
TransAstra Corporation is headquartered in Los Angeles, US.