ReOrbit lands record funding to take on Musk’s Starlink from Europe, signaling a major shift in the continent’s space ambitions. The Finnish startup has raised €45 million ($53 million) in a Series A round — the largest ever for a European space tech company. The move underscores Europe’s determination to build independent satellite infrastructure amid rising geopolitical tensions.
Image Credits:ReOrbit
Europe’s big bet on sovereign satellites
Founded in 2019 and headquartered in Helsinki, ReOrbit provides both hardware and software for sovereign satellite operations. Its mission is simple but ambitious: give nations the tools to control their own space assets without relying on foreign providers like Starlink.
CEO Sethu Saveda Suvanam explains that ReOrbit’s solution is built for countries that want autonomy but lack the capacity to build satellites from scratch. By combining trusted hardware with a proprietary software layer, ReOrbit offers a scalable alternative to Elon Musk’s Starlink.
How ReOrbit differs from Starlink
While Starlink is designed for private users and enterprises, ReOrbit takes a government-first approach. Its model prioritizes sovereignty, ensuring that clients maintain complete ownership of their satellites and communications.
At the core of ReOrbit’s system is a flexible software layer, which Saveda Suvanam compares to Apple’s iOS. This “space OS” can manage both SiltaSat, a geostationary satellite fixed above one location, and UkkoSat, a low Earth orbit satellite that circles closer to Earth.
This adaptability makes the system especially appealing for countries looking to secure defense, critical infrastructure, and national security capabilities.
Why this funding matters
ReOrbit’s €45 million funding round is not just a win for one company — it’s a milestone for Europe’s growing space ecosystem. As nations grow more wary of depending on U.S. or Chinese providers, sovereign satellite platforms like ReOrbit are becoming strategically essential.
The record investment also signals that Europe wants a seat at the table in the global space race. With demand for secure, independent communications growing, ReOrbit could help shape the future of Europe’s space autonomy.
What’s next for ReOrbit?
ReOrbit is already working with national partners and expanding its technology portfolio. The funding will accelerate satellite production, boost software development, and strengthen collaborations with European governments.
As competition with Starlink heats up, ReOrbit’s unique value proposition — sovereignty plus flexibility — could make it one of Europe’s most important space tech players in the years to come.
