In a strategic move aimed at advancing space observational technology, OurSky and PlaneWave Instruments have merged to form Observable Space. The newly established entity seeks to streamline the integration of telescope hardware and software, enhancing efficiency and accessibility for institutions and space research organizations.
The merger comes after OurSky, a software platform specializing in space observational data, secured a $9.5 million seed funding round led by Upfront Ventures. The collaboration with PlaneWave, a leading U.S.-based telescope manufacturer, is expected to address long-standing challenges in telescope operations, particularly related to software integration.
Nick Kim, partner at Upfront Ventures, emphasized the necessity of the merger, recalling an experience where PlaneWave’s telescopes required hours to capture a single image due to reliance on fragmented software solutions. This inefficiency underscored the demand for a more cohesive system, which Observable Space aims to provide.
OurSky founder Dan Roelker and PlaneWave founder Richard Hedrick highlighted the potential of combining their expertise, noting that their integrated approach would significantly enhance telescope usability. The company already serves high-profile clients, including NASA, the U.S. Space Force, and Georgia State University’s Center for High Angular Resolution Astronomy.
The merger positions Observable Space to capitalize on emerging opportunities in satellite tracking, space communications, and defense applications. The firm is poised to become a key player in the evolving space economy, catering to the increasing need for precise object tracking and communication with spacecraft.
The new company has already garnered investor confidence, securing $11 million in funding, including backing from In-Q-Tel, the CIA’s nonprofit strategic investment arm. Investors see the merger as a strategic advantage, as Observable Space integrates both hardware and software solutions—an approach that has proven successful for leading tech firms.
Observable Space will maintain its manufacturing operations in Michigan, with additional engineering functions based in Los Angeles and an observatory outside Washington, D.C. The company remains revenue-generating and is set to further expand its market reach by offering advanced, integrated solutions for space observation and research.