Q1 2026 Rankings
Space Tech Startups to Watch, Q1 2026
Space tech has a small but distinct engineering footprint on GitHub.
| # | Company | Stage | Geo | Commits (14d) | Change | Contributors | Contrib. Growth | New Repos | Signal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | OpenSpace OpenSpace is an open source interactive data visualization software designed to show the known universe and portray our | Growth | Unknown | 24 | +2300% | 59 | +40% | 1 | Deploy frequency spike |
| 2 | pytroll | Growth | Unknown | 1 | +999% | 100 | +0% | 0 | Deploy frequency spike |
| 3 | ss220-space Space Station 13 and more! | Growth | Unknown | 142 | +125% | 100 | +261% | 0 | Engineering hiring burst |
| 4 | OpenC3 Open Source. Open Architecture. Command, Control and Communication | Series A/B | US | 159 | +4% | 45 | +0% | 0 | Framework migration |
| 5 | goonstation The classic flavor of Space Station 13. | Pre-seed | Unknown | 74 | -1% | 2 | +0% | 0 | Framework migration |
| 6 | CelestiaProject | Growth | Unknown | 5 | -64% | 54 | +0% | 0 | Framework migration |
Sorted by commit velocity change (14-day window, descending). Top 3 highlighted. Data last updated Q1 2026.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What engineering signals are space tech startups showing in Q1 2026?
In Q1 2026, we are tracking 6 space tech startups with measurable GitHub engineering signals. 4 of 6 show positive commit velocity growth. The most common signal type is "Framework migration", observed in 3 of the tracked companies. The average 14-day commit velocity across the sector is 68 commits, with OpenSpace leading at 24 commits (+2300% change). These patterns have historically preceded fundraise announcements by six to twelve weeks.
Which space tech startup has the highest engineering acceleration in Q1 2026?
OpenSpace leads the space tech sector in Q1 2026 with 24 commits over a 14-day window, representing a +2300% change from the prior period. With 59 active contributors and 1 new repositories, OpenSpace is showing a "Deploy frequency spike" pattern — one of the more reliable leading indicators of a significant product milestone or fundraise.
Where are the most active space tech engineering teams located?
Among the 6 space tech startups we track, US accounts for the highest concentration with 1 teams. Startups building launch vehicles, satellites, and space data platforms. Geographic distribution matters for investors because engineering talent clusters correlate with sector-specific domain expertise and proximity to early adopter customers.