D-Orbit Secures $128 Million in Initial Round of Series D Financing
SAN FRANCISCO – The Italian space logistics company D-Orbit has successfully secured $124 million during the first phase of its Series D funding round, as announced on January 22.
Luca Rossettini, the founder and CEO of D-Orbit, shared that this influx of capital will facilitate strategic acquisitions, expedite the development of the company’s orbital logistics framework, enhance their in-orbit transportation services, expand industrial capacity for ION missions, and improve the operational capabilities necessary to navigate a crowded orbital environment. "This funding will allow us to accelerate our growth strategies and better serve our clients," Rossettini noted in an official statement.
Among the investors in this round, the Italy-based Azimut Group is committing $53 million directly into D-Orbit while simultaneously purchasing stakes from an existing investor.
D-Orbit's strategy for mergers and acquisitions includes plans for additional strategic purchases in the near future, building upon a successful business integration model they implemented with Planetek—a firm specializing in Earth observation, geospatial analysis, and mission software—acquired by D-Orbit in 2025. Rossettini explained via email to SpaceNews, "Our M&A strategy remains focused on a pan-European scope, shaped by regulatory norms and the need for cohesive operational integration. We are dedicated to playing a crucial role in consolidating the European space services market while ensuring alignment with the European Space Agency’s frameworks and meeting the national security needs of EU member countries."
Expanding Horizons Beyond Europe
In addition to its European endeavors, D-Orbit plans to extend its reach by forming local entities and joint ventures, such as D-Orbit USA. Rossettini stated, "This approach allows us to penetrate markets with specific regulatory challenges while maintaining the flexibility to meet local requirements, especially in defense and governmental programs."
As the bottleneck in launch opportunities diminishes due to the introduction of more vehicles into the market, D-Orbit intends to concentrate on solidifying and enhancing its standing in space logistics. This includes areas like orbital transport, satellite manufacturing, in-orbit servicing, space cloud infrastructure, and data analytics. They will also assess other strategic segments of the space value chain that are vital for progressing their long-term goals.
Established in 2011, D-Orbit operates the ION Satellite Carrier, which has so far delivered 137 satellites and hosted 77 payloads across 21 missions. The demand for these services, along with hybrid offerings—such as incorporating D-Orbit satellites into existing constellations—is increasing. This heightened interest has placed significant pressure on both D-Orbit and its supply chain, an issue that the company's expansion strategy aims to tackle.
Building a Multi-Orbit Logistics Framework
This latest investment will also propel D-Orbit toward its ambition of creating an interplanetary logistics framework by funding larger-scale mergers that would help "consolidate our leadership in space infrastructure, intelligence, and services," according to Rossettini.
Moreover, the funding will support D-Orbit’s efforts to cultivate space ecosystems in emerging markets while continuing to focus on established markets like the United States and Saudi Arabia. Additionally, D-Orbit is set to develop new spacecraft. Their General Expansion Architecture, which is receiving backing from the European Space Agency, is envisioned as a "highly versatile and modular platform" suitable for low-Earth, medium-Earth, and geostationary orbits.
Rossettini summarized, "These initiatives will fortify the technological, geographical, and industrial foundations necessary to progressively evolve from our current orbital logistics capabilities towards a fully integrated, multi-orbit, and ultimately interplanetary logistics infrastructure."
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