Orbital Operations

Orbital Operations is an aerospace startup building high-thrust orbital vehicles for satellite defense and dynamic space maneuvering. Founded in 2024 by former rocket engineers Ross Doherty and Ben Schleuniger, the company’s flagship vehicle (Astraeus) uses liquid-hydrogen propulsion and advanced cryogenic fuel management. By staying in orbit, Astraeus can intercept or reposition satellites within hours. Based in Long Beach, California, Orbital Operations recently raised about $9 million in seed funding and plans to demonstrate an operational prototype by 2027. The company’s technology has applications in defense, logistics, and in-space servicing.