Seattle-based space station and aerospace component developer Gravitics has raised USD 20 million in a seed funding round led by Type One Ventures with participation from Tim Draper of Draper Associates, FJ Labs, The Venture Collective, Helios Capital, Giant Step Capital, Gaingels, Spectre, Manhattan West, and Mana Ventures. 

The funding is expected to be used for further development and testing of its StarMax Modules.

The company recently opened a 42,000 sq foot facility north of Seattle where it has already begun the assembly of the first StarMax prototype with plans to conduct its first pressure tests in early 2023. Further, Gravitics have initiated taking pre-orders for StarMax modules for delivery in 2026.

AnalystQuickTake: Gravitics’ StarMax module is claimed to have the largest interior volume–400 cubic meters–in a standalone spacecraft, while its shipyard-style fabrication allows for the module to be used as a living space or a space station. With the ISS set to be decommissioned at the end of the decade, private space infrastructure providers such as Gravitics, Axiom Space , and Orbital Assembly have an opportunity to fill the gap and this round of funding can go a long way in helping Gravitics work towards establishing themselves in the industry.