Spacetech and Satellite

In Depth

Our lawyers are well-known for solving groundbreaking legal issues that arise when innovation meets regulation. We represent a wide array of spaced-based operators on matters affecting their businesses – from securing funding and navigating regulatory approvals to protecting essential intellectual property and handling complex disputes. We advise spacetech and satellite companies throughout their business life cycle, along with the investors funding the industry.

Our practice areas include:

• Regulatory advice on aspects of obtaining regulatory approvals to commence commercial operation and use pioneering technologies.
• Strategic counseling and policy advocacy on space and satellite matters before US and European regulators.
• Market-leading technology transactions counsel, venture and debt financings, private equity, buy- and sell-side M&A, and public offerings.
• CFIUS team with broad exposure to novel technologies and startups, providing unmatched insight into cutting-edge issues in the CFIUS ecosystem.
• IP prosecution, counseling, licensing and litigation.
• Cyber/data/privacy capabilities, with a holistic approach to compliance and security.

Cooley’s spacetech and satellite team is part of the CooleyREG offering, through which we combine an understanding of the impact of disruptive advancements – and the regulatory issues that impose risk and slow progress – to help our clients navigate an increasingly complex regulatory landscape.

Representative matters:

• Advised HawkEye on:
  • Its initial public offering, raising $416 million
  • Its acquisition of Innovative Signal Analysis, publicly valued at more than $150 million
  • A $150 million Series E equity and debt financing round
  • Licensing and regulatory matters before the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC)

• Counseled Lynk Global on contractual and regulatory matters associated with its proposed merger with Omnispace, with the goal of delivering a comprehensive direct-to-device connectivity solution, bridging the gap between today’s satellite and terrestrial networks
• Supported a $250 million Series C funding for K2 Space to scale up satellite production and strategic advice in the licensing of the company’s first mission, Gravitas
• Advised Firefly Aerospace on satellite licensing and other matters related to Blue Ghost Mission 1, the first commercial mission to successfully land on the moon
• Provided strategic advice to Planet Labs on satellite licensing matters regarding radiofrequency spectrum use and satellite imaging
• Counseled Iridium Communications on important issues relating to international spectrum allocations and key strategic business matters, including US Securities and Exchange Commission compliance, debt financing, and FCC matters
• Advised oneNav on the regulatory landscape affecting satellite navigation systems and location services, as well as potential FCC action
• Represented venture funds, including Airbus Ventures, ACME Capital and DCVC, in investments and private financing matters in space technology and aerospace companies