Slingshot acquires Numerica’s space-tracking business and UK space data firm Seradata

WASHINGTON — Slingshot Aerospace, a data analytics company that develops simulations of the space environment, on Aug. 3 announced it has acquired Numerica’s space business and Seradata, a space data analysis company based in the United Kingdom. 

The value of the acquisitions was not disclosed. Melanie Stricklan, co-founder and CEO of Slingshot Aerospace, said both transactions have cleared regulatory approvals and the companies officially merged their operations Aug. 1. 

Founded in 2017, Slingshot is based in El Segundo, California; and Austin, Texas. Numerica is located in Colorado Springs and Fort Collins, Colorado. Only the space domain awareness division of Numerica was sold to Slingshot. The air and missile defense divisions of Numerica will continue to operate as usual.

These acquisitions will help Slingshot expand its footprint in the commercial and government space markets, Stricklan said. One of its main products is a space digital twin — a virtual space environment built with data from multiple sources. The company also offers a space traffic coordination service called Slingshot Beacon.

Slingshot now owns Numerica’s network of ground-based telescopes that track space objects in daytime and at nighttime. That network includes 150 sensors and 30 telescopes at 20 locations around the globe. According to Numerica, its sensors can track satellites and debris as small as 10 centimeters in size. The company sells data as a service to the U.S. government and commercial satellite operators. 

With the acquisition of Seradata, Slingshot is absorbing the company’s  SpaceTrak satellite and launch database, and establishing a foothold in the U.K. and European markets. The SpaceTrak database and analytics platform covers all launches and satellites since Sputnik in 1957, 

The combined capabilities of Slingshot, Numerica and Seradata will provide customers higher quality data and insights, Stricklan said. “Today, satellite operators across the commercial, civil, and defense sectors rely on siloed tools and data that significantly limit the efficiency of day-to-day operations.”

A key driver of these acquisitions is the need for better data and technology in support of space sustainability, said Stricklan. “The exponential growth of launch and satellite activities requires reliable data and insights to guide safe space operations and protect our modern way of life.”