Swiss aerospace firm SWISSto12 has secured $85.4 million from the European Space Agency to advance its next-generation HummingSat satellite platform. This funding is part of a larger capital pool exceeding $117 million, including private investments, aimed at industrializing the company's technology. The move signals strong confidence in SWISSto12's mission to reshape satellite communications with more agile and cost-effective solutions.
A Strategic Financial Endorsement
The $85 million commitment comes via the ESA's ARTES partnership project, backed by Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Sweden, Norway, and Canada. Pledged at the 2025 ministerial conference, the support will fast-track the platform's development and scale up manufacturing. This funding is crucial for meeting the growing global demand for advanced satellite systems and services.
This institutional backing complements a private funding round from late 2025, bringing the total secured capital to over $117 million. This dual endorsement underscores strong market confidence in SWISSto12's commercial viability and operational readiness. The capital will also fuel new product innovations, strengthening the company's competitive position in the global aerospace market.
HummingSat: A New Era for Geostationary Satellites
Developed with ESA, the HummingSat is a compact, software-defined satellite that departs from large, expensive legacy models. It offers customers a flexible and cost-efficient solution for expanding network capacity and deploying new services with agility. The first commercial launch is scheduled for 2027 with operator SES, followed by a mission for Viasat.
SWISSto12 is addressing a surge in global demand for satellite communications for aviation, maritime, and government sectors. The company's technology provides a modern alternative to slow-to-deploy legacy systems, enabling greater flexibility for service providers. This reflects a growing need for always-on broadband connectivity and secure communications across the globe.
Advancing European Space Technology
This investment is a key part of ESA's strategy to bolster Europe's space industry through its ARTES Partnership Projects programme. The initiative fosters collaborations between ESA, private companies, and operators to develop globally competitive systems. It aligns industrial investment with in-orbit validation to advance satellite communications technology and maintain a competitive edge.
Laurent Jaffart of ESA affirmed the agency's commitment to supporting innovators like SWISSto12 to meet the ecosystem's increasing demands. Beyond the HummingSat, the funding will also advance the company's phased-array antenna technologies for various satellite orbits. This development enhances SWISSto12's ability to serve a broad spectrum of customer needs across different orbital regimes.
A Vision for Sovereign and Agile SatCom
Emile de Rijk, CEO of SWISSto12, stated that the funding sends a powerful message about the company's central role in satellite innovation. He emphasized that SWISSto12's agile solutions provide credible answers to pressing challenges in the space economy. A key focus is enabling satellite sovereignty, a capability historically out of reach for many nations due to high costs.
The substantial financial backing from ESA and private investors marks a pivotal moment for SWISSto12 and its HummingSat platform. This capital not only validates the company's technology but also equips it to meet the escalating global demand for flexible satellite communications. As SWISSto12 prepares for its 2027 launch, the industry watches closely to see its impact on the future of connectivity from space.