Information services startup Capella Space Corp. revealed today that it has raised $97 million in new funding to meet the growing demand for its high-resolution synthetic-aperture radar imagery, expand its analytics and imaging offerings and launch its next generation of newly designed satellites.

NightDragon led the Series C round, with DCVC and Cota Capital also participating. Including the new funding, the company has raised $190 million to date.

Founded in 2016, Capella Space provides high-quality Earth observation data on demand through SAR sensors deployed across its seven satellites currently in orbit. Synthetic-aperture radar is a form of radar used to create two-dimension images or three-dimensional reconstructions of objects. The technology uses the motion of the radar antenna to provide finer spatial resolution than conventional radars.

Capella Space satellites can penetrate all weather conditions — clouds, fog, smoke and rain – and capture clear imagery around the clock. This ability, the company says, provides unparalleled insight into what is happening anywhere on the globe at any given moment.

Users access the service through the Capella Console, the company’s self-serve, automated satellite tasking platform, enabling customers to request and download images directly without any human intervention easily. Capella Space claims this is a game-changer for an industry traditionally known for frustratingly long lead times.

The company’s technology is being used across defense and intelligence agencies, shipping and supply chain organizations and other industries to allow decision-makers to know quickly what is happening on the ground to make mission-critical decisions. Notable customers include the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office and the U.S. Air Force.

Capella Space has seen strong growth, doubling its revenue in its last 12 months of operations, and it expects to more than triple revenue over the next 12 months and grow its customer base by more than 400%. It didn’t provide more specific numbers.

This funding will assist Capella Space to develop its advanced analytics capabilities further by integrating new automated, intelligent data offerings directly within the Capella Console. The company will also dedicate resources to launching its next generation of satellites with an enhanced design and improved resolution, quality, imaging capacity and delivery capabilities.

“Since launching commercial operations last year, we’ve seen not only incredible growth for our company, but for the SAR market more broadly,” Capella Space Chief Executive Officer Payam Banazadeh said in a statement. “This new funding is a testament to the market demand for quick delivery of high-quality commercial SAR data, and we’re seeing it firsthand at Capella.”

Image: Capella Space