Fortastra Closes $30 Million Round to Build Maneuverable Satellite Bodyguard Spacecraft

Fortastra, a Southern California defense startup based in Torrance near Los Angeles, has closed a $30 million fundraising round to develop maneuverable spacecraft designed to protect both government and commercial satellites in orbit. The company, founded last year and led by a former SpaceX engineer, describes the spacecraft as "bodyguards in space" intended to defend satellites from potential attacks as geopolitical competition in orbit intensifies.

The raise marks a significant step up for Fortastra, which had previously secured over $8 million in seed financing led by Upfront Ventures. The new capital will be used to advance the company's mission-ready space systems. Fortastra has also been building out its national security credentials, having recently appointed Scott Klempner, a 20-year Space Force and U.S. Air Force acquisition veteran, as Director of Product for National Security.