Trousdale Ventures, a global venture capital firm founded by Phillip Sarofim, announces its role as lead investor in the oversubscribed Series B+ fina

CesiumAstro Inc., an Austin, TX-based provider of space communications technology, closed a $65m Series B+ funding round

SAN FRANCISCO - CesiumAstro, a startup specializing in phased array communications payloads, raised $65 million in a Series B+ investment round announced June 18.

CesiumAstro closes $65 million Series B+ funding round led by Trousdale Ventures, with backing from Development Bank of Japan and Quanta Computer, Inc.

AUSTIN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--CesiumAstro, an industry leader in active phased array communications technology for space and airborne systems, announced today that the company was selected by Rocket Lab (Nasdaq: RKLB) to provide its Vireo active electronically scanned array (AESA) radio frequency (RF) communications payload for integration on 18 space vehicles (SVs) supporting the Space Development Agency’s (SDA’s) Tranche 2 Transport Layer (T2TL). Launching in mid-2027, the payload will be the first multi-beam-capable Ka-band communications system operating in SDA’s Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA), a layered low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellation designed to deliver secure, low-latency communications and missile tracking capabilities for the U.S. Department of Defense. CesiumAstro’s Vireo payload is the culmination of more than seven years of the company’s AESA research, development, testing, and manufacturing. A receive antenna, transmit antenna, and SpaceVPX form-factor reconfigurable processor enable powerful single- and multi-beam operation. “Our Vireo system’s multi-beam capability doesn’t just meet the needs of the warfighter but exceeds them

CesiumAstro alleges in a newly filed lawsuit that a former executive disclosed trade secrets and confidential information about sensitive tech, investors and customers to a competing startup.Austin-based Cesium develops active-phased array and software-defined radio systems for spacecraft, missiles and drones. While phased-array antenna systems have been used on satellites for decades, Cesium has considerably advanced and productized the tech over its seven years in operation. The startup has landed more than $100 million in venture and government funding, which it has used to develop a suite of products for commercial and defense customers.The technology is niche: Only a handful of companies work at the cutting edge of space-based radio technology, and Cesium no doubt pays close attention to any new entrant in this field. AnySignal, a startup that came out of stealth last October but was formally incorporated in 2022, certainly caught the company’s eye, not least because it allegedly edged out Cesium in a sales bid to a major customer and by attempting to solicit the interest of one of Cesium’s early investors — both examples stated in the lawsuit.According to the suit, filed on March 25, these examples are directly related to former VP of Product Erik Luther’s misappropriation of trade secrets and confidential information on investors and customers, which Cesium alleges he subsequently disclosed to AnySignal. Notably, Luther did not leave Cesium to work for AnySignal, instead taking a role as head of marketing at a company that operates in a different sector entirely. But the suit says that Luther maintained “personal connections” with AnySignal’s co-founders, having worked with AnySignal CEO John Malsbury previously at a different company.This resulted in AnySignal “recruiting and inducing Luther … to improperly disclose” the confidential and trade secret information, the suit says

Texas Governor Greg Abbott visits NASA’s Johnson Space Center to announce the inaugural members of Texas Space Commission Board of Directors and the Texas Aerospace Research and Space Economy Consortium Executive Committee. (Photo: Business Wire)Texas Governor Greg Abbott visits NASA’s Johnson Space Center to announce the inaugural members of Texas Space Commission Board of Directors and the Texas Aerospace Research and Space Economy Consortium Executive Committee. (Photo: Business Wire)LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Trousdale Ventures, a venture capital firm specializing in space and mobility investments, announces that the founders of two portfolio companies, CesiumAstro and Venus Aerospace, have been appointed to leadership positions within Texas’s space industry. Shey Sabripour, Founder and CEO of CesiumAstro, was selected to serve on the Texas Aerospace Research and Space Economy Consortium (TARSEC) Executive Committee, and Sarah “Sassie” Duggleby, Co-Founder and CEO of Venus Aerospace, was named to the Board of Directors of the Texas Space Commission.“Sassie’s appointment to the Texas Space Commission and Shey’s to TARSEC’s Executive Committee is a testament to their outstanding contributions and leadership within the aerospace industry,” said Phillip Sarofim, Founder and CEO at Trousdale Ventures. “Their dedication to innovation and excellence has not only propelled their companies forward but contributed to the advancement of Texas’s space initiatives.”Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed House Bill 3447 last summer, creating TARSEC and the Texas Space Commission to solidify Texas’s position as a global aerospace hub. HB 3447 strengthens the state’s position in all aspects of aerospace activity, including civil, commercial, and military aviation, as well as research and development, space exploration, and infrastructure.Sabripour expressed his enthusiasm for the opportunity: “I am honored to join TARSEC and contribute to the future of space exploration and technology in our state

Texas Governor Greg Abbott visits NASA's Johnson Space Center to announce the inaugural members of the Texas Space Commission Board of Directors and the Texas Aerospace Research and Space Economy Consortium Executive Committee alongside Rep. Greg Bonnen, Speaker Dade Phelan, and NASA's Johnson Space Center Director Vanessa Wyche on Tuesday, March 26, 2024, in Houston. Photo credit: Office of the Texas GovernorTexas Governor Greg Abbott visits NASA's Johnson Space Center to announce the inaugural members of the Texas Space Commission Board of Directors and the Texas Aerospace Research and Space Economy Consortium Executive Committee alongside Rep. Greg Bonnen, Speaker Dade Phelan, and NASA's Johnson Space Center Director Vanessa Wyche on Tuesday, March 26, 2024, in Houston. Photo credit: Office of the Texas GovernorAUSTIN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Governor Greg Abbott announced that CesiumAstro Founder and CEO, Shey Sabripour, has been named to the Texas Aerospace Research and Space Economy Consortium (TARSEC) executive committee. As part of an ambitious effort to solidify Texas’s position as a global aerospace hub, Governor Abbott signed House Bill 3447 last summer, creating TARSEC and the Texas Space Commission