# Skeyeon Inc.

Our Microsatellites Fly Lower - Earth Monitoring, Agriculture and National Security

- Canonical URL: https://wefunder.com/skeyeon
- Entity ID: wefunder:company:132227
- Last updated: 2026-06-07T05:02:49Z
- Generated at: 2026-06-07T19:56:32Z

## Quick facts
- Over $2 million from investors, and we are part of several government contracts.
- CEO's last venture, Peregrine Semiconductor, sold for almost $500 million!
- Earth monitoring is ripe for disruption by Skeyeon, now dominated by large, slow government agencies
- By planning to orbit closer than anyone else has, we get better optical resolution, data speed, etc.
- Solved key issues specific to satellites in VLEO orbits, i.e. propulsion, atomic oxygen erosion, etc
- Developed patented technologies necessary to orbit microsatellites at an altitude of 100-350 km.
- Team of experts from fields related to optics, telemetry, coatings, RF links, and space systems, etc
- Aiming for 1 meter resolution images and building an image database for earth monitoring.

## Active fundraises
- wefunder:fundraise:82175: 4(a)(6) successful (USD)
- wefunder:fundraise:82176: 4(a)(6) successful (USD)

## Story
Very low Earth orbit is a range of orbital altitudes below 400 km (250 mi), and is of increasing commercial importance in a variety of scenarios and for multiple applications, in both private and government satellite operations.The benefits of satellites operating in VLEO are many fold, including; inherently higher satellite performance; substantially lower launch and operating costs; communication payloads with significantly better link budgets; and creating self-cleaning orbits, essentially solving the significant problem of space debris.Skeyeon filed the first VLEO satellite patent describing commercial satellite operation in orbits from 100 to 350 km (62-218 mi).In today's world, where knowledge equates to power, Skeyeon is leading the charge in a groundbreaking technological movement.Our development of Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO) technology represents not merely an advancement, but a fundamental shift in the methods of collecting and leveraging satellite data. Skeyeon is paving the way for the next generation of global monitoring and information gathering.We are in the process of creating smaller, more affordable, yet highly efficient satellites designed for an orbit that remains largely untapped, aiming to seize a significant share of the multi-billion dollar Earth Observation industry.To put it in simple terms that everyone can understand - consider the difference between taking a photograph of someone's face, or in our case, the Earth, from a distance versus up close. By operating our satellites at lower altitudes than ever before, we achieve unparalleled detailed views.The Challenge of Outdated Satellite Intelligence and Skeyeon's Unique SolutionThe world moves fast, but traditional satellite systems lag behind. With  orbital times nearing 24 hours, these systems provide data that's often outdated before it even reaches the ground. This delay is a critical bottleneck in sectors where timely information can mean the difference between success and failure, safety and danger. From military operations requiring up-to-the-minute intelligence to disaster response teams needing immediate situational awareness, the need for real-time data is paramount.Existing satellite solutions face several limitations, including high costs, limited bandwidth, data latency, and line-of-sight transmission issues. Furthermore, the frequency spectrum is becoming increasingly congested, leading to potential increases in interferences.Skeyeon's approach addresses these limitations by focusing on two key factors: availability of information and high availability of the satellite system. Unlike existing solutions that may have significant data delay, Skeyeon aims to provide fast data acquisition. This speed is crucial for applications where immediate availability of information is essential. Additionally, Skeyeon plans to ensure high availability of its satellite system, making it a reliable source of data for various applications. While Skeyeon may not offer the highest resolution available in the market, it strikes a balance between resolution and immediate availability of data. This balance is critical for many applications where timely data is more important than extreme high resolution.Satellite data has changed the world, but it is too expensive and not price-elastic enough for persistent (daily) coverageWhile competitors have been investing in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites, Skeyeon was the first to recognize the benefits of Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO) over 6 years ago.Working with leading experts, Skeyeon has solved all key technical hurdles to operate low-cost satellites at half the altitude of traditional Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites.We're pioneering a shift in the Earth Observation sector, a field traditionally monopolized by large government entities, by deploying a network of satellites into Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO), reaching altitudes previously unexplored by major constellations. The advantages of proximity—enhanced imagery, improved data transmission efficiency, reduced costs, and superior monitoring of Earth's diverse systems—are clear. This sector is poised for innovation, mirroring the transformative impact SpaceX had on the rocket industry.While there are competitors in satellite imagery offering high-resolution images monthly or low-resolution snapshots weekly, based on their orbital paths, our strategy is set to revolutionize the industry. We aim to deliver high-resolution images on a daily basis, marking a significant leap forward for numerous sectors.Skeyeon's Game-Changing ApproachVLEO Technology - Skeyeon is redefining satellite technology with our pioneering Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO) approach, currently in development. By planning to operate satellites closer to Earth, we aim to achieve unprecedented image clarity and data acquisition speed. This proximity is intended to enhance the quality of intelligence and significantly reduce the time between data capture and analysis.Real-Time Insights - Our VLEO satellites are designed to unlock real-time insights. In a world where situations evolve by the minute, Skeyeon aims to provide the agility and speed necessary to keep pace. From geopolitical monitoring to environmental surveillance, our technology is intended to ensure decisions are made based on the most current information available.Innovative Technologies - Navigating the challenges of VLEO orbits requires innovation at every step. Skeyeon is developing a suite of patented technologies addressing everything from advanced propulsion for precise maneuvering to specialized coatings that combat atomic oxygen erosion. Our innovations are the backbone of our planned VLEO capabilities, setting new standards in satellite technology.The reason no one has done this to date is because of the technical challenges required to fly satellites in VLEO, as this orbit has an atmosphere of highly corrosive atomic oxygen. Our team of experts has solved these challenges, with patents issues and more pending, allowing us to fly closer to the Earth than anyone has accomplished. Closer means better images and monitoring, easier data transmission, and more.Skeyeon's satellites, compact enough to fit on a coffee table, are engineered for versatility with interchangeable payloads, enabling a limitless array of missions. Whether the task is to monitor methane emissions, combat illegal whaling or fishing, or capture infrared or UV data on the planet's night side, Skeyeon envisions a future where our technology unlocks boundless possibilities for Earth observation and beyond.Meet the Visionaries Behind SkeyeonSkeyeon's mission is powered by a team of visionary thinkers and industry experts. Each member brings a unique set of skills and a shared passion for innovation. From seasoned engineers to pioneering scientists, our team's diverse expertise is our greatest asset.Beyond Military: A World of ApplicationsThe potential applications of Skeyeon's technology extend far beyond military and security realms. Our high-resolution daily imagery, once operational, is envisioned to revolutionize industries across the board. In agriculture, we plan to assist in precision farming, helping to maximize yields and conserve resources, and play a crucial role in global drought monitoring. In the maritime sector, we aim to serve as an ocean watchdog including tracking illegal activities and pollution monitoring. For infrastructure monitoring, our real-time imagery is intended to aid in everything from urban planning to disaster response. Additionally, we foresee our technology being pivotal in climate change monitoring, wildlife conservation, disaster preparedness, and renewable energy siting. These examples are just the tip of the iceberg; the reach of our technology is virtually limitless. Wherever global and current visual information is vital, Skeyeon's solution has a purpose, aiming to make the world a better, safer, and more sustainable place.Unmatched Precision in Earth ObservationAt the heart of Skeyeon lies a relentless pursuit of innovation.Our diverse team of space technology specialists is united in their mission to expand the limits of the achievable.We are at the forefront of crafting cutting-edge optics designed to reveal the Earth with clarity never seen before, alongside developing durable telemetry systems that ensure dependable data flow. Each element of our satellite design embodies our dedication to pioneering advancements in the field.Compact, Customizable, Cutting-EdgeSkeyeon is crafting satellites that redefine engineering excellence. Despite their compact, coffee-table-sized dimensions, our satellites are engineered to deliver formidable capabilities. With a focus on flexibility, each unit is designed to support interchangeable payloads, enabling customization for specific missions and maximizing their impact across a wide range of applications.Noteworthy ConsiderationsSkeyeon is the VLEO expert on a large DARPA Project (“Ouija”) to launch our VLEO satellites, targeting first launch in 2024Provides non-dilutive funding to demonstrate (and de-risk) VLEO operationWe are on additional Government programs to further develop VLEO technologyVLEO is becoming a new focus and opportunity in the satellite industryBe Part of Skeyeon's Pioneering JourneySkeyeon is set to change the way we view our world, and we invite you to be part of this pioneering journey. Your investment in Skeyeon is an investment in a future where intelligence is timely, accurate, and accessible. It's an opportunity to be at the forefront of a technological revolution. Let's make history together.

## FAQ
1. **Hi there - a) What is your monthly burn rate? b) What is your cash on hand? c) Are you raising a parallel angel or VC round simultaneously? If yes, who is investing in this round?**
   - Hi Teddy, a) our monthly burn rate is about $5k, some months up to $10k. I've built Skeyeon on a minimal burn rate based on my experience at my previous company, Peregrine Semiconductor. b) we have about $120k on hand and $150k in backlog on Govt contracts c) I'm not conducting a parallel raise but additional angel investors beyond our current group is possible but not actively being pursued. d) N/A
2. **Hi, Please elaborate for us on your patents. How many have been grated and how many are submitted and pending. Of those granted, are they owned wholly by Skeyeon Inc, and if not to whom are they assigned. Thanks for clarifying. Blessings**
   - Hi Kim, we currently have seven issued US patents plus another that was just allowed for which we will pay the filing fee and should see it issue in 4-8 weeks. We also have 3 more US patents in process (aka "pending") and two international patents in process in the PCT system (we will choose which countries to file when that deadline hits). All of these patents are 100% owned by Skeyeon with all rights from all inventors assigned to Skeyeon. The portfolio covers numerous aspects of our system...
3. **What makes you think Skeyeon will succeed when there are very well funded and publicly traded EO companies today? Do you not think that you are late to the game?**
   - The key advantage is that a VLEO solution will be at least 10X lower cost compared to existing solutions at the same resolution. Cost savings come from the telescope, satellite costs and launch costs, all of which scale at square law or even cube law (telescope/camera) with distance. Most existing EO companies are flying $10-400M satellites aimed at extremely high resolution at very low re-image rates.
4. **When does this initial level of investing end?**
   - Our current cash supports the company for 2 years. We have not yet withdrawn any of the Wefunder commitments, which will extend our runway. Plus, the current US Govt contract generates cash for us as well. Thanks for your excellent question and let us know if you have any others
5. **Hello Ron, Could you please provide us with a medium-term forecast of your annual sales (5 years for example). Thank you for your attention.**
   - Hi Hugo, our revenues today are from various government R&D contracts. The largest such contract is expected to generate about $400k in 2024 and about $200k in 2025, all dependent on progress toward our first satellite launch. We have additional projects in the pipeline but they are not fully funded yet, with two large proposals for launch of VLEO constellations to conduct earth observation. If funded, they will kick off in 2025 and generate about $500k/year for two years. But again, thes...

## Team
- Ron Reedy (CEO)
- Massimo Comparini (Market, Business, & Competitive Analysis)
- Thomas Schwartzentruber (Aerodynamics and Vehicle Design)
- Timothy K. Minton (Materials and Space Materials)
- Mike Knowles (Business Development & Government Relations)
- Joseph Ford (Optical Engineering)
- Ron Melanson (Business, Computers and RF)
- Dan Nobbe (Radio Systems, Intellectual Property & Regulatory)
- Erica Helgerson (IP Manager)
- Jackie Townsend (Marketing Communications)
- Fred Hill (founder)

## Recent posts
- July update letter (2024-07-30T23:03:26Z)
- Skeyeon Round Closes Today - Final Reminder (2024-04-29T18:09:22Z)
- Invest in Skeyeon’s Innovative Future – Only Days Left! (2024-04-24T16:43:15Z)
- Last Chance to Invest in Skeyeon - Round Closing Soon! (2024-04-18T13:46:29Z)
- Closing Soon - Don't Miss Your Chance to Invest in Skeyeon (2024-04-12T20:10:56Z)
- Insights from Aerospace and Defense Leader, Mike Knowles! (2024-03-19T16:26:17Z)
- Must-Watch Interview: Rory Moore Discusses Skeyeon's Satellite Innovation (2024-03-05T22:11:34Z)
- Securing the Final Frontier: The Promise of VLEO in Mitigating Space Threats (2024-02-22T01:18:53Z)
- Skeyeon Investor Interview (2024-02-08T16:51:19Z)
- Skeyeon is Shaping the Future of National Security (2024-02-01T16:59:38Z)
- Don't Miss - Latest Update Video (2024-01-17T20:40:58Z)
- Watch the Replay of Our Groundbreaking Webinar! (2023-12-20T14:04:41Z)
- Reminder - Skeyeon Webinar Today @ 12pm PT/3PM ET (2023-12-19T16:20:49Z)
- Skeyeon Webinar - A Revolutionary Leap in Satellite Technology 🛰️ (2023-12-13T17:46:30Z)

## Q&A
- Q: When does this initial level of investing end?
  - A: Our current cash supports the company for 2 years. We have not yet withdrawn any of the Wefunder commitments, which will extend our runway. Plus, the current US Govt contract generates cash for us as well. Thanks for your excellent question and let us know if you have any others
- Q: What distinguishes Skeyeon from a company like Planet?
  - A: Planet's cubesats ("Dove") are limited to 4m resolution, which is not useful for most manmade objects (a car would be about one pixel). This limit is fundamental to the 10x10cm opening of their cubesats. Skeyeon intends to achieve the same daily updates as Planet, but at 1m resolution.
- Q: Hello Ron, Could you please provide us with a medium-term forecast of your annual sales (5 years for example). Thank you for your attention.
  - A: Hi Hugo, our revenues today are from various government R&D contracts. The largest such contract is expected to generate about $400k in 2024 and about $200k in 2025, all dependent on progress toward our first satellite launch. We have additional projects in the pipeline but they are not fully funded yet, with two large proposals for launch of VLEO constellations to conduct earth observation. If funded, they will kick off in 2025 and generate about $500k/year for two years. But again, these are at the proposal stage.
- Q: What makes you think Skeyeon will succeed when there are very well funded and publicly traded EO companies today? Do you not think that you are late to the game?
  - A: The key advantage is that a VLEO solution will be at least 10X lower cost compared to existing solutions at the same resolution. Cost savings come from the telescope, satellite costs and launch costs, all of which scale at square law or even cube law (telescope/camera) with distance. Most existing EO companies are flying $10-400M satellites aimed at extremely high resolution at very low re-image rates.
- Q: It's been over a year since you posted an update. What's new? How far along is the prototype? -- DH
- Q: Our microsatellites operate in low Earth orbit, delivering critical insights for Earth monitoring, precision agriculture, and national security. These compact yet powerful platforms generate vast amounts of data that require robust, secure, and highly efficient IT solutions to process, analyze, and act upon. This is where strategic IT partnerships make all the difference. Virteva https://virteva.com/crowdstrike-incident-fundamental-it-security-principles/ , a recognized leader in managed IT services, has earned distinction as a Microsoft Security Solutions Partner and a Certified Microsoft Modern Work Solutions Partner. By leveraging Microsoft 365, Azure, Office 365, and Enterprise Mobility + Security, Virteva provides integrated solutions that ensure sensitive satellite data is protected, accessible, and actionable for stakeholders.
- Q: Ron, I was not sure how to reply to your response, so I edited my initial question. Did you see that response?
  - A: Hi Stephen, I am not very good at navigating Wefunder. Can you send your question to my email (rreedy@skeyeon.com)? Then at least we can communicate and get this resolved. Thanks...r2
- Q: I invested in Skeyeon in March 2024, but the investment is not showing up in my Wefunder portfolio. How can I verify that my investment was properly recorded? Thanks for the speedy reply. I'm not sure how to answer back, but when I look at my portfolio, Skeyeon is not there. I can provide you with my email address and number through private communication, if that is possible.
  - A: Hi Stephen, my view of the investor list shows that you invested $1,570 on 29 Mar and that your investment is "closed," the same category as my own investment. Can you try this link: wefunder.com/portfolio and see if it works. If not, let me know and I'll check with Wefunder. Thanks...r2
- Q: with space becoming a place where militaries are now developing battlefield plans, using killer sats kinetics, developing the ability to launch missiles into space from aircraft to destroy satellites, or energy weapons what risk levels have you included in your near term and future loss rate projections?
  - A: From what we've read, battlefield plans will focus on known, large military satellites before targeting low cost, smaller satellites. However, one advantage of VLEO is that kinetic debris (space junk, intentional or not) will itself deorbit before it collides with a target. So in any scenario, VLEO orbits will have low to near-zero kill susceptibility. We believe lack of permanent space junk is a big advantage of VLEO orbits.
- Q: will you eventually be able to reach out to the amatuer radio community ARRL (dot) org and offer space?
  - A: This is an interesting idea. A small constellation of VLEO satellites could help amateur radio, but we haven't evaluated it technically or business-wise. We have a ham radio person on our advisory board so I will ask him to give this some quality time. Thanks for the idea.
- Q: Please advise why you are spamming wefunder clients with unsolicited pitches.
- Q: Hello Are you the owner of this wonderful project, I have interest in it, but I have some question about you project.... Lets discuss
- Q: Hi, Please elaborate for us on your patents. How many have been grated and how many are submitted and pending. Of those granted, are they owned wholly by Skeyeon Inc, and if not to whom are they assigned. Thanks for clarifying. Blessings
  - A: Hi Kim, we currently have seven issued US patents plus another that was just allowed for which we will pay the filing fee and should see it issue in 4-8 weeks. We also have 3 more US patents in process (aka "pending") and two international patents in process in the PCT system (we will choose which countries to file when that deadline hits). All of these patents are 100% owned by Skeyeon with all rights from all inventors assigned to Skeyeon. The portfolio covers numerous aspects of our system including satellite design, drag-reducing coatings, real time radio downlinks and spacecraft control, all targeting VLEO operation.
- Q: Hi there - a) What is your monthly burn rate? b) What is your cash on hand? c) Are you raising a parallel angel or VC round simultaneously? If yes, who is investing in this round?
  - A: Hi Teddy, a) our monthly burn rate is about $5k, some months up to $10k. I've built Skeyeon on a minimal burn rate based on my experience at my previous company, Peregrine Semiconductor. b) we have about $120k on hand and $150k in backlog on Govt contracts c) I'm not conducting a parallel raise but additional angel investors beyond our current group is possible but not actively being pursued. d) N/A