Opterus Research and Development, Inc.
Develops high-strain composite deployable structures (booms, masts, solar arrays) for spacecraft, reducing mass and stowed volume while enabling large-scale in-space structures.
- CEO / Founder
- Thomas Murphey
- Team Size
- 11-50
- Stage
- Growth Stage
- Total Funding
- $250K
- Latest Round
- Seed
- Key Investors
- Transition VC
Technology & Products
Key Products
High Strain Composite (HSC) deployable booms; Collapsible Tubular Masts (CTM); Deployable solar array systems; Structural deployment systems for spacecraft
Technological Advantage
Opterus's core advantage lies in its high-strain composite (HSC) deployable boom technology, which allows for extremely compact stowage and lightweight deployment of large space structures. This is protected by a portfolio of patents including US11034467B2 for a collapsible tubular mast. The technology has been validated through numerous NASA SBIR contracts and a significant $10.2M NASA contract for a next-generation structural deployment system, indicating independent verification of its performance and reliability. While the fundamental concept of deployable booms is not new, Opterus's specific material formulations and deployment mechanisms provide a defensible technology moat, though well-funded competitors with significant R&D could potentially develop alternative solutions.
Differentiation
Value Proposition
Reduces spacecraft structural mass by up to 90% and stowed volume by 10x compared to rigid deployables, enabling larger solar arrays and antennas on smaller, lower-cost satellite platforms.
How They Differentiate
Opterus's HSC booms achieve a 10x stowed volume reduction and 90% mass savings compared to traditional rigid deployables from competitors like Roccor and Tendeg, while maintaining high stiffness and dimensional stability for precision applications.
Market & Competition
Target Customers
Aerospace OEMs, satellite manufacturers, and government agencies (NASA, DoD) needing lightweight, compact deployable structures for spacecraft and space-based applications.
Industry Verticals
Aerospace; Defense; Space
Competitors
Roccor (deployable booms); Tendeg (deployable antennas); ATK/Orbital ATK (deployable structures)
Growth & Milestones
Growth Metrics
418% two-year revenue growth (2021); $10.2M NASA contract (2024); Multiple NASA SBIR contracts
Major Milestones
2015: Founded; 2018: Licensed SwiftComp for composite modeling; 2019: Won $250,000 OEDIT Advanced Industries Grant; 2021: 418% two-year revenue growth (NoCo fastest-growing); 2024: $10.2M NASA contract for next-generation structural deployment system
Notable Customers
NASA; U.S. Navy (Office of Naval Research)
Funding rounds
- Grant$250,0002019-06Lead: Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) · Source: GlobeNewswire