SpaceX is going to acquire the small-satellite data provider Swarm Technologies, as reported by news websites. Swarm Technologies is a start-up, which operates a constellation of 120 satellites.
This is marked as one of the highly unlikely moves of Elon Musk’s SpaceX to sign a deal with a satellite data provider because SpaceX usually manufactures its rocket and satellite hardware in-house or hires subcontractors.
The deal would shift the control of Swarm’s ground and Space licenses to SpaceX, including any licenses pending before the commission. Post the approval of the transaction, Swarm would become a direct and wholly owned subsidiary of SpaceX.
The acquisition will strengthen “the combined companies’ ability to provide innovative satellite services that reach unserved and undeserved parts of the world,” as Swarm wrote in the FCC filing.
