SmallSat Europe Speaker Focus: Gregg Burgess, Orion Space Solutions

Why It Matters

VLEO offers ultra‑low latency and reduced SWaP, creating a cost‑effective niche for defense and commercial communications. Orion’s contracts and DARPA partnership signal rapid market adoption and validate its drag‑mitigation technology.

Key Takeaways

• Orion secured $24M contracts for 25 advanced VLEO payloads.
• DARPA Ouija nanosatellite aims for long‑duration VLEO operations.
• Burgess brings leadership from General Atomics, Sierra Nevada, Orbital.
• VLEO delivers ultra‑low latency and reduced size, weight, power.
• Arcfield’s $1B defense portfolio supports Orion’s growth.

Pulse Analysis

Very low Earth orbit (VLEO), typically below 450 km, sits at the edge of the atmosphere where drag forces are strongest. While this environment shortens satellite lifespans, it also yields unprecedented performance benefits: lower latency for communications, smaller antenna footprints, and reduced size‑weight‑power (SWaP) budgets. Companies that can engineer drag‑mitigation technologies—such as electric propulsion or aerodynamic shaping—stand to capture a niche but rapidly expanding market. Orion Space Solutions, under President Gregg Burgess, has positioned itself at the forefront by designing modular payloads that thrive in this thin‑air regime.

The DARPA‑funded Ouija mission exemplifies Orion’s technical ambition. The nanosatellite carries Langmuir probes, RF impedance sensors, high‑frequency sounders and atomic‑oxygen detectors to map the ionospheric HF noise environment in real time. By validating propagation models of the F2 layer, Ouija could improve over‑the‑horizon radar accuracy and secure military communications that rely on high‑frequency bands. Successful long‑duration operation in VLEO would also demonstrate that small satellites can maintain functional orbits without frequent re‑boosts, lowering operational costs for both defense and commercial users.

In March 2026 Orion announced initial contracts exceeding $24 million to deliver more than 25 advanced payloads, with a total addressable value projected above $100 million across multiple batches. The deals, secured through a proprietary space customer, are underpinned by Arcfield’s $1 billion classified defense portfolio, giving Orion access to deep‑pocketed government programs and secure launch opportunities. As the VLEO economy matures, Orion’s blend of atmospheric‑science expertise and defense‑grade reliability positions it to attract further funding, expand its payload catalog, and potentially shape standards for future low‑altitude satellite constellations.