2025 came with lots of exciting collaborations. On Feb 4, 2025, Los Angeles startup OurSky announced a merger with PlaneWave instruments – a telescope manufacturer to create ‘Observable Space’ – An integrated software and hardware products company. With a goal of creating a next-generation telescope platform to improve usability and expand market opportunities.
Backstory:
But how does this merger come to mind? The idea was born when OurSky, a space data software platform, realized that even top-notch telescope manufacturers relied on cobbled-together, inefficient software to process images. Also, when they secured a $9.5 million seed funding round led by Upfront Ventures.This reliance made complex software integration, long setup times and inefficiencies in telescopic operations. So both of the startups put their strengths on the table – integrating their software and hardware into a single, proper system and decided to create Observable Space.
OurSky X PlaneWave = Observable Space.
Observable Space will open doors to new capabilities and allows users to:
- Easily connect and control the very powerful, top-of-the-line telescopes from a smartphone or laptop.
- Improve space object tracking (useful and non-negotiable for NASA, the U.S. Space Force, and etc.)
- Cost-effective and scalable solutions for scientific institutions and the space industry.
“Our combined vision continues to support all our many partners across the space industry from commercial space companies, researchers, scientists, space domain awareness partners, laser communications, and global defense and intelligence.”
Co-founder & CEO Observable Space Daniel Roelker in his recent post on LinkedIn.
The company already serves high-profile clients NASA, U.S Space force and Georgia State University centre for high angular resolution astronomy. Both OurSky founder Dan Roelker and PlaneWave founder Richard Hedrick highlighted the potential of combining their expertise.
The Market’s Potential:
The Space Industry’s growth in 2025 is inevitable. Launch of more satellites and objects into orbit is supporting the fact. Observable Space and its predecessors have raised $11 million. Investors include In-Q-Tel, the U.S. intelligence community’s investment arm, Upfront Ventures, Venrex Investment Management, Oceans Ventures, Marlinspike Partners and Embedded Ventures. They see Observable Space as a key player in tracking and communication solutions for satellites, defense, and commercial space ventures. They also believe in its impact on global space infrastructure. Also what makes it unique is its U.S based telescope manufacturing, it holds a competitive edge over those who rely on foreign-made equipment.
Observable Space will maintain its operations in Michigan. They remain revenue generating and plan to expand its market further by offering advanced integrated solutions for space observation and research.
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