AAC Clyde Space explained

AAC Clyde Space
Logo Alt:	Logo
Industry:	Private spaceflight
Predecessor:	ÅAC Microtec Clyde Space
Hq Location City:	Uppsala
Hq Location Country:	Sweden
Areas Served:	Scotland, Sweden, the United States, the Netherlands, and South Africa
Key People:	Mats Thideman (CFO, Deputy CEO) Andrew Strain (CTO) Peter Anderson (CCO) Dino Lorenzini (CSO)
Products:	Satellites, Satellite components, Data
Owner:	Luis Gomes (CEO)

AAC Clyde Space is a Private Space company that manufacturers satellites and satellite components for various contractors. The company operates out of Scotland, Sweden, the United States, the Netherlands, and South Africa, with partners in Japan and South Korea.^[1]

History

AAC Clyde Space formed in 2019 as the result of a merger between Scottish firm Clyde Space operating out of Glasgow, and the Swedish firm ÅAC Microtec operating out of Uppsala. Both ÅAC Microtec and Clyde Space where formed in 2005.^[1] At the time of the merger, which was funded by investors from Nevis Capital and Coralinn, over 40% of all CubeSats had some components manufactured by Clyde Space.^[2] The firm's Uppsala office is the headquarters and main administrative office, while the Glasgow office is the company's main manufacturing hub.^[1]

AAC Clyde Space specializes in the construction and operation of small CubeSats, primarily constructing them for clients, and then operating them from their ground stations.^[3] In June 2020 AAC Clyde Space was awarded a £2.3 million grant from Scottish Enterprise to continue developing satellite technologies with the grant funding R&D, new equipment acquisitions and the creation of new jobs.^[4] In 2021 AAC Clyde Space created a subsidiary, AAC South Africa, based out of Cape Town as the company's center of competence for advanced radio communication.^[5] AAC South Africa received its first contract on February 28, 2024 to assemble, integrate, and test two satellites.^[6]

On January 27, 2023, AAC Clyde Space was awarded a kr2.6 million from Space Forge to provide space products for a demonstration spacecraft. This was the third order from Space Forge to AAC Clyde Space for this project.^[7]

On October 7, 2024, AAC Clyde Space was awarded kr5.8 million for a contract to deliver their Starbuck power systems to an undisclosed client.^[8]

On July 9, 2024, it was announced AAC Clyde Space would be partnering with the Scottish government on the Cyclops satellite constellation. The constellation will consist of four 16U CubeSats and will focus on analysis and automating and integrating image data from the Scottish Forestry’s Geospatial Information Systems and operations.^[9]

On 22 August, 2024, AAC Clyde Space was awarded kr7.1 million for the delivery of reaction wheels to an undisclosed US Blue Chip firm.^[10]

Products

• Space Data as a Service (SDaaS): is application-ready data generated by AAC Clyde Space's satellite constellations for businesses to leverage high-quality Earth Observation and Maritime data without needing their own satellites.^[11]
• Components: AAC Clyde Space produces various hardware for satellites, including; Command and Handling processors, batteries, power control and distribution units, communications devices, solar arrays, structures, payloads, and Attitude Determination and Control Subsystems. These can range from standardized CubSat components which can be bought off the shelf, or custom made components for specialized satellites.^[12]
• Space Missions: AAC Clyde Space has a space delivery service that can construct a satellite, and operate it in orbit, for a fee. AAC Clyde Space promises a custom tailored experience, and claims that their service sets them apart from their competitors.^[13]

Missions

Contracted

Satellites that AAC Clyde Space developed for clients include:^[14]

Independent

Satellites that AAC Clyde Space developed on their own behalf include:^[14]

In development

Satellites that AAC Clyde Space are currently developing include:^[14]

Cancelled

Satellites that AAC Clyde Space worked on that where ultimately cancelled include:^[14]

Mergers and acquisitions

• Spacemetric AB: On July 4, 2024, it was announced the firm purchased the Swedish company Spacemetric AB for kr16 million. Spacemetric was a leading provider of geospatial data management systems for satellite and airborne imaging and video sensors, and the purchase came as AAC Clyde Space sought to expand its SDaaS businesses.^{[15] [16]}
• Omnisys Instruments AB: On March 31, 2021, it was announced AAC Clyde Space had purchased the Swedish firm Omnisys, a manufacturer of measuring instruments for advanced space projects for kr75 million. Among Omnisys' customers are ESA, Airbus Defense & Space, the Swedish Space Agency, as well as a wide range of commercial companies in Europe and the USA. AAC Clyde Space inherited Omnisys' contracts with the ESA, including their components for the Artic Weather Satellite.^{[17] [16]}
• SpaceQuest

On October 15, 2020, AAC Clyde Space announced they had purchased the Fairfax, Virginia based firm SpaceQuest for $8.4 million. AAC Clyde Space stated that the merger was to expand their presence in the US, and to incorporate SpaceQuest's satellite fleet into their SDaaS business. SpaceQuest had been founded in 1994 and manufactured and operated small satellites for companies like Canadian Space Agency, NASA, and the U.S. Air Force and Navy.^{[16] [18]}

• Hyperion Technologies BV On October 7, 2020 AAC Clyde Space announced they had purchased the Dutch firm Hyperion for $8.4 million. Hyperion, founded in 2013, produced small satellites and where noted for their high proficiency in orbital control systems.^{[16] [18] [19]}

Notes and References

1. Web site: Who we are . aac-clyde.space . 12 November 2024.
2. Web site: Arrowpoint Advisory's TMT team has advised Clyde Space, backed by Nevis Capital and Coralinn, on its acquisition by ÅAC Microtec, which is publicly listed on Nasdaq First North Stockholm in Sweden, for 35m (7x revenue). . arrowpointadvisory . 12 November 2024.
3. Web site: What we do . aac-clyde.space . 12 November 2024.
4. Web site: AAC Clyde Space To Develop Next-Gen Satellites With Grant From Scottish Enterprise . spacewatch . 12 November 2024.
5. Web site: Faleti . Joshua . AAC Clyde Space Starts AAC Space Africa to Join Africa’s Growing Space Sector . spaceinafrica . 12 November 2024.
6. Web site: Faboade . Deborah . AAC Space Africa Wins its First Satellite Order . spaceinafrica . 12 November 2024.
7. Web site: AAC Clyde Space Wins SEK 2.6M Follow-on Order For In-orbit Production Mission . . 12 November 2024.
8. Web site: Schreiber . Robert . TECH SPACE AAC Clyde Space secures SEK 5.8 M contract for Starbuck power system . spacedaily . 12 November 2024.
9. Web site: Jewett . Rachel . AAC Clyde Space Partners With Scotland on Earth Observation Constellation . satellitetoday . 12 November 2024.
10. Web site: AAC Clyde Space wins SEK 7.1 M order . satelliteevolution . 12 November 2024.
11. Web site: SPACE DATA AS A SERVICE . aac-clyde.space . 12 November 2024.
12. Web site: Space Products & Components . aac-clyde.space . 12 November 2024.
13. Web site: Space Missions . aac-clyde.space . 12 November 2024.
14. Web site: AAC Clyde Space . nanosats . 12 November 2024.
15. Web site: AAC Clyde Space to acquire Spacemetric AB . satnews . 12 November 2024.
16. Web site: OUR BRANDS . aac-clyde.space . 12 November 2024.
17. Web site: AAC Clyde Space AB (publ) acquires Swedish space company Omnisys Instruments . satelliteevolution . 12 November 2024.
18. Web site: Werner . Debra . AAC Clyde Space to acquire SpaceQuest for $8.4 million . . 12 November 2024.
19. Web site: AAC Clyde Space to acquire Hyperion Technologies – Satellite News Digest . supremesat . 12 November 2024.