Fortastra News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Strength Among the Stars: Fortastra Emerges to Build Maneuverable Spacecraft for National Security

Torrance, CA - December 11, 2025: Fortastra, a new aerospace company founded by industry veteran Dr. Mike Smayda, today announced its public launch. The company is developing maneuverable, resilient spacecraft designed to strengthen U.S. space security and ensure freedom of action in orbit.

Space is now a contested domain where military, commercial, and civil systems are increasingly targeted or disrupted. Fortastra exists to meet that challenge. The company is building high-agility spacecraft with advanced guidance, navigation, control, and propulsion systems—enabling rapid maneuver, defensive rendezvous and proximity operations (RPO), and assured mission execution even in degraded environments.

“Space systems underpin nearly every aspect of modern life—from global communications and navigation to financial infrastructure and national defense,” said Smayda, founder and CEO of Fortastra. “As these threats accelerate, the U.S. needs spacecraft that can respond quickly, maneuver intelligently, and preserve mission advantage. That’s what Fortastra is here to build.”

Funding and Investors

Fortastra recently raised over $8 million in seed financing, led by Upfront Ventures, with participation from Generational Partners, Wave Function Ventures, Bloomberg Beta, and Forward Deployed VC. This funding enables Fortastra to accelerate spacecraft development, expand its engineering team, and establish testing and analysis capabilities in Southern California. The raise reflects growing investor conviction that protecting on-orbit assets and reducing the risk of space mission disruption will be critical in a future where space is even more accessible than it is today.

Founded by an Industry Veteran

Fortastra was founded by Dr. Mike Smayda, an aerospace engineering leader with degrees from Cornell University and the University of Virginia. Mike previously served as a Sr. aerodynamics engineer at SpaceX, where he contributed to the development of the reusable Falcon 9 first stage. He also co-founded Hermeus and served as its Chief Product Officer, leading government go-to-market and product and technology development strategy.

About Fortastra

Fortastra, founded earlier this year, designs and operates maneuverable spacecraft for on-orbit security. Headquartered in Torrance, California, Fortastra combines modern engineering practices, high-rate spacecraft manufacturing, and advanced autonomy to protect critical space infrastructure and deliver persistent operational advantage for the United States and its allies. ‘Strength among the stars’.

Learn more at www.fortastra.com