The Space Force’s growing appetite for faster satellite delivery is drawing together two unlikely partners: a defense startup building orbital security systems and a manufacturing firm known for precision machining and automated factories.
A Los Angeles company that develops hardware to protect spacecraft in orbit is partnering with a manufacturing specialist to bring advanced production methods to satellite programs. The arrangement was announced July 29.
Factory floor meets orbital engineering
Hadrian runs facilities that turn raw materials into finished components for rockets, planes and satellites. Under the agreement, it will sit in on Fortastra’s design evaluations and determine where its production tools can apply to space-grade hardware. Fortastra will teach Hadrian what it takes to certify equipment for orbital flight, covering vacuum tolerance and thermal cycling requirements.
Smayda said the partnership gives Fortastra a way to pull manufacturing expertise directly into its engineering pipeline, allowing the company to pursue funded prototypes that validate advanced production techniques for national security satellite work.
Pentagon pressure for speed
The deal reflects a shift across the defense supply base. Space Force leaders have repeatedly called for satellite production measured in months rather than the years typical of heritage contractors, especially for proliferated constellations that need hundreds of matching units. That pressure is pulling newer companies with faster turnaround times into the market.
Hadrian created an additive division at the start of this year devoted to defense work. It has since added security-sector hires such as former Robinhood chief security officer Caleb Sima and ex-Voyager strategy lead Wallis Laughrey.
