# John Gedmark

> John Gedmark is the CEO and Co-founder of Astranis Space Technologies, a San Francisco-based aerospace company building next-generation geostationary satellites. He previously helped shape the commercial space industry as co-founder and executive director of the Commercial Spaceflight Federation, where he influenced President Obama's 2010 decision to use commercial space transportation for NASA missions - a shift worth over $10 billion to the industry. At Astranis, he has led the company from a Y Combinator startup to a $2.8 billion valuation with a $1+ billion backlog, operating a fleet of MicroGEO satellites that bring dedicated broadband to underserved regions across Alaska, the Philippines, Mexico, and beyond.

- **Role:** CEO & Co-founder at Astranis Space Technologies
- **Organizations:** Astranis Space Technologies, Commercial Spaceflight Federation, X Prize Foundation, Y Combinator, World Economic Forum, SEDS (Students for the Exploration and Development of Space)
- **From:** Kentucky, United States
- **Nationality:** American
- **Education:** B.S. in Aerospace Engineering and Physics, Purdue University, M.S. in Aerospace Engineering, Stanford University, Startup Accelerator, Y Combinator
- **Known for:** Co-founded Astranis in 2015, growing it to $2.8B valuation with $1B+ backlog by 2026, Raised over $1.2 billion in total funding for Astranis, Successfully designed, built, and launched MicroGEO satellites at a fraction of traditional satellite cost

## Career timeline

- **2005-2007** — Director of Rocket Flight Operations at X Prize Foundation, managed public rocket launches with 20,000+ audiences including first-ever VTVL public flight
- **2007-2012** — Co-founder and Executive Director of the Commercial Spaceflight Federation, representing SpaceX, Blue Origin, and Virgin Galactic
- **2010** — Instrumental in President Obama's announcement to use commercial space transportation for NASA missions - a watershed moment worth $10B+ to the industry
- **2015** — Co-founded Astranis Space Technologies in November; participated in Y Combinator
- **2019** — Secured SpaceX launch agreement for Astranis's first commercial satellite
- **2021** — Led $281M Series C funding round
- **2023** — Launched Arcturus, first commercial MicroGEO satellite, on SpaceX Falcon Heavy on April 30; satellite deployed to GEO and began serving Alaska
- **2024** — Launched 4 MicroGEO satellites on dedicated Falcon 9 for Philippines, Mexico, and US customers on December 30
- **2025** — Unveiled Omega next-generation satellite platform (50+ Gbps); announced Vanguard MANET product; completed Space Force Resilient GPS demonstration ahead of schedule; grew fleet to 10+ satellites
- **2026** — Raised $300M Series E at $2.8B valuation; secured nine-figure Oman deal; $1B+ backlog; company launching more satellites than GEO incumbents combined

## Achievements

- Co-founded Astranis in 2015, growing it to $2.8B valuation with $1B+ backlog by 2026
- Raised over $1.2 billion in total funding for Astranis
- Successfully designed, built, and launched MicroGEO satellites at a fraction of traditional satellite cost
- Led policy effort resulting in President Obama's 2010 commercial space transportation announcement for NASA, worth $10B+ to industry
- Grew Astranis fleet from 1 to 10+ operational satellites in just 2.5 years (2023-2025)
- Co-founded Commercial Spaceflight Federation representing SpaceX, Blue Origin, and Virgin Galactic
- Named one of Fast Company's Most Innovative Defense Tech Companies of 2026
- Secured US Space Force contract for Resilient GPS program
- Signed nine-figure international deals for sovereign satellite connectivity (Taiwan, Oman)
- Attracted Gen. (Ret.) John E. Hyten as Chairman of Strategic Advisory Board in 2026

## Latest updates

- **2026-05** — Raised $300M Series E led by Snowpoint Ventures and Franklin Templeton, with participation from a16z, BlackRock, and Fidelity, at a $2.8B valuation
- **2026-03** — Retired Gen. John E. Hyten (former Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs) joined as Chairman of Astranis Strategic Advisory Board
- **2026-01** — Signed nine-figure deal with MB Group to deliver sovereign satellite connectivity to Oman
- **2026-01** — Named to Fast Company's Most Innovative Defense Tech Companies of 2026
- **2025-12** — Completed demonstration of GPS capability for US Space Force Resilient GPS program, ahead of schedule
- **2025-11** — Unveiled Vanguard, a satellite-enabled Mobile Ad-Hoc Network (MANET) product for defense and first responder applications
- **2025-09** — Signed agreement with Impulse Space for 2027 direct-inject to GEO mission; added technology company veterans to executive team

## Links

- Website: https://astranis.com
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johngedmark
- Twitter/X: https://x.com/gedmark

---

Profile page: https://yespress.io/john-gedmark
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-05-26