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TransAstra Corporation

YC S21

Los Angeles, US · Founded 2016 · 8 employees · Hiring · 3 known investors

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.

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 SercelinFounderJoel 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.

Investors · 3

ValkyrieSunnyvale
Y CombinatorSan Francisco · $500K
Lombardstreet VenturesreportedWoodside · $500K

Competitors · 3

by search overlap
Capella Space15 shared keywordsCapella 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.
Astra10 shared keywordsAstra 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.
AstroForge8 shared keywordsAstroForge develops low-cost, replicable spacecraft designed to track and mine metal-rich asteroids in deep space, targeting the extraction of platinum group metals. The company is preparing its DeepSpace-2 mission, which it describes as the first commercial rendezvous with a body beyond Earth's gravity well.

Companies competing with TransAstra Corporation for the same Google search keywords, organic and paid, via search-intersection analysis.

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.

In the news

TransAstra Awarded Two Contracts to Develop Critical Emerging Technologies in Orbital Debris Removal and Space Domain Awarenessglobenewswire.com · Dec 2022TransAstra wants to move satellites—and mine asteroids — Quartzqz.com · Aug 2021Former Momentus CTO reveals competing space logistics venture - SpaceNewsspacenews.com · Aug 2021TransAstra Corporation Revenue & Market Share 2026 $11M | Manufacturingaeo.sig.ai

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 Valkyrie, Y Combinator, Lombardstreet Ventures.
Where is TransAstra Corporation headquartered?
TransAstra Corporation is headquartered in Los Angeles, US.