SAN FRANCISCO – Austrian space domain awareness startup iSEE Global established a U.S. subsidiary in Arlington, Virginia, led by former Kleos Space CEO Andy Bowyer.
The U.S. subsidiary of iSEE, which stands for Impact Space Expedition & Exploration Global Corp., seeks “proximity to key government and defense customers, like the U.S. Space Force, and major commercial clients,” Bowyer told SpaceNews by email. “The U.S. is the biggest and most influential SDA [space domain awareness] market.”
FOCI Mitigation
Having a U.S. subsidiary will help iSEE “navigate the complex regulatory requirements,” Bowyer said.
For example, iSEE will undergo the extensive regulatory review by the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency, known as Foreign Ownership, Control or Influence (FOCI) mitigation. To pass, the firm must establish procedures to safeguard classified information. And iSEE will focus on compliance with the International Traffic in Arms Regulations, which control exports of defense-related items.
Founded in 2023, iSEE is developing an “in-orbit radar fence constellation that will ensure continuous, high-precision monitoring of space,” Bowyer said. “This radar network is designed to deliver comprehensive, near-real-time tracking of almost all objects in low-Earth orbit.”
Bowyer added that iSEE’s constellation promises “consistent and highly accurate data due to its in-space positioning and advanced algorithmic capabilities. This capability allows iSEE to meet growing demand from governments and commercial entities for reliable, verified data to manage the increasing congestion and risks in space.”
In the U.S., iSEE is participating in the Space Systems Command’s Space Domain Awareness Tactical Applications Proving Lab demonstration day.
Bernhard Niedermayer, iSEE co-founder and Co-CEO, said in a statement that iSEE’s subsidiary in Arlington shows the company’s “commitment to supporting the US space ecosystem.”