Defense firm Anduril Industries has partnered with startup Apex Space to provide satellite buses for future military space missions. Anduril, known for its software and autonomy expertise, plans to build and launch its own spacecraft by late 2025, focusing on developing tailored payloads and software for national security. Apex flew its Aries satellite bus for the first time in March, hosting an Anduril-built mission data processor, leading Anduril to choose them as their first bus partner.
Gokul Subramanian, Anduril’s senior vice president of space and engineering, emphasized the need for new players in the defense space domain, like Apex Space. Apex’s rapid bus production capabilities align with national security requirements for large constellations of satellites. Both Anduril and Apex intend to compete for military missions, including the Space Development Agency’s missile tracking and data transport constellations.
Apex CEO Ian Cinnamon highlighted their focus on delivering satellites faster and at lower costs, with the ability to integrate payloads in a matter of weeks instead of years. The partnership between Anduril and Apex is the first of many that Anduril plans to announce, as they work towards expanding their defense space portfolio.
