Privateer Space
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Aerospace |
| Founded | 2021 |
| Founder | Steve Wozniak, Moriba Jah, Alex Fielding |
| Headquarters | Hawaii , United States |
Key people | Moriba Jah (Chief Scientific Adviser) |
| Products | Wayfinder, Pono satellites |
Privateer Space is a U.S.-based aerospace firm established by Steve Wozniak, Moriba Jah, and Alex Fielding. Headquartered in Hawaii, its primary offering, Wayfinder, delivers information on space debris and orbiting spacecraft.
History
Privateer was created in 2021 by Wozniak, Jah, and Fielding, with its initial announcement providing minimal specifics. While early assumptions pointed to debris removal activities, the company’s main focus lies in gathering data on space debris, which Fielding refers to as the "Google Maps of space." Moriba Jah joined the team as chief scientific adviser in November 2021.
The company’s debut product, Wayfinder, monitors both space debris and active spacecraft. Additionally, Privateer develops satellites named Pono that clients can lease and share after deployment to gather terrestrial data—a model compared to "data ride-sharing." In late 2023, Privateer deployed Pono 1, designed to stay in orbit for approximately four months. A follow-up Pono satellite is scheduled for launch in mid-2024.
In early 2024, Privateer expanded by acquiring the geospatial analytics company Orbital Insight and secured $56.5 million through a Series A investment round.
See also
- Kessler syndrome