SpinLaunch and Meridian Space split into independent companies

SpinLaunch and Meridian Space are separating into two independent companies.

Meridian Space will carry forward the satcom infrastructure business, while SpinLaunch continues its lower-cost launch vision.

The announcement is dated 2026-09-28. SpinLaunch is based in California. Meridian Space is an independent commercial space company and a spin-out from SpinLaunch.

SpinLaunch has worked on satcom technology since 2020 through a unit later called Meridian Space. Massimiliano Ladovaz is Chief Executive Officer of Meridian Space and has managed SpinLaunch's satellite development unit since 2020.

Meridian Space's first in-space demonstration is meant to show the first customer link using in-house reflect-array technology. The technology is described as using less power than existing satcom payloads, lowering power consumption and thermal dissipation compared with traditional phased-array systems.

The company's satellites are described as lighter and smaller than other satcom satellites in the market. Flat, lightweight satellite buses with reduced mass profiles support high-density packing inside a fairing.

Meridian Space plans a constellation of 250 satellites in low Earth orbit. Its long-term goal is to fly reflect-array antennas on flat satellite buses and enable a 250+ satellite constellation on one dedicated launch.

NanoAvionics will build the initial batch of satellite buses and integrate Meridian's reflect-array communications payloads into standardized structures. Meridian Space targets sovereign governments, regional satellite operators and telecommunications companies, and is working to sign its first customers.

A complete turnkey network, including space segment, launch and ground, is put at less than USD 1 billion. Meridian Space aims to offer a third path to owning a satcom network, and the technology is designed for partner construction, enabling sovereign satcom systems in any country.

SpinLaunch says it will continue its lower-cost launch vision with hypersonics applications. It links that work to the Golden Dome program and the lunar economy. It received a patent for a kinetic launcher fixed to a planetary body with a rarified atmosphere. The patent also points to off-world applications, such as moving payloads from the Moon toward Earth or deeper into space.

The split separates the satcom infrastructure business from SpinLaunch's lower-cost launch vision. For lunar-industry watchers, SpinLaunch's continued work is tied to hypersonics, the Golden Dome program and the lunar economy.

The patent language points to kinetic launch concepts on planetary bodies with rarified atmospheres and to moving payloads from the Moon to Earth or beyond. Meridian's low-power, low-mass satcom approach also matters because it targets sovereign governments, regional satellite operators and telecommunications companies with a complete system priced below USD 1 billion.

The Meridian Express launch is dated 2027.

The satellite Express program also has a 2027 launch date.

SpinLaunch will provide further details on leadership, vision and plans in the near future.