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Sydney-based start-up HEO Robotics has closed a million Series A funding round to address the issue of foreign satellites coming too close to commercial satellites in orbit. The funding round was led by AirTree Ventures, with backing from Salus Ventures. HEO Robotics installs cameras on customers’ and partners’ satellites to monitor and minimize collisions with space debris while also assisting with maintenance. The company’s software platform has applications in commercial, governmental, and military sectors.

HEO Robotics CEO, William Crowe, initially did not plan to raise additional funds after the company’s 2021 seed funding round. However, growing demands from commercial customers to deploy cameras into distant orbit to investigate the encroachment of foreign-owned satellites led to the need for rapid expansion. Crowe expressed concerns about the intentions of these satellites and the potential security risks they may pose. The company aims to understand and address this problem as a major part of its mission.

The mysterious satellites, primarily operated by two undisclosed foreign powers, have been getting remarkably close to commercial satellites in geostationary orbit, raising questions about their activities and intentions. Geostationary orbit is located approximately 36,000 kilometers above the Earth’s equator and requires satellites to hover in a fixed position relative to the planet’s surface. This makes it difficult and expensive to determine the purpose and actions of the roaming foreign satellites. HEO Robotics aims to provide insight and mitigate any potential harm caused by these encounters.

In addition to expanding its camera network into geostationary orbit, HEO Robotics plans to use the funding to expand its operations beyond Australia, the UK, and the US into the Japanese market. The company’s goal is to address the growing concerns surrounding satellite encroachment and ensure the safety and security of commercial satellites in space.

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