Geospatial technology startup Nuview has made a strategic acquisition of analytics platform Astraea. The intention is to accelerate the former’s ambitious plans “years faster than we ever imagined.” However, the terms of this deal, including precise details regarding the employment of Astraea’s staff, were not disclosed by Nuview’s CEO, Clint Graumann.
Nuview, founded by Graumann in January 2022, is a youthful entry in the market. Still, it has already made a significant impact, raising at least $15 million in funding so far. Graumann acknowledged the struggle many ground-up, Earth observation companies face when trying to build every capability on their own. “We build where we have to, we partner where we can,” he said.
The new acquisition places Nuview on an accelerated path towards their plan of providing intelligence on a wide array of satellite, aerial, and drone data. Nuview plans to deploy a constellation of 20 commercial satellites, each containing a lidar system, to map the Earth’s entire land surface annually. The traditionally bulky and power-hungry lidar systems have been reimagined by Nuview, developing a proprietary sensor that is both lighter and capable of scanning larger areas.
Nuview is currently planning the launch of a proof-of-concept satellite, Mr. Spoc, but a firm date has yet to be announced. Once this technology is successfully demonstrated in space, the company plans to launch further satellites in batches of five every 12-18 months, allowing time for technological improvement. Future satellites could even be adapted to meet different resolution or spectral requirements.
In summary, this acquisition, coupled with Nuview’s innovative approach and commitment to agility, could position the firm to meet broader customer needs and tackle specific problems more effectively along the way.
