Rockets and satellites draw the spotlight, sure, but could 2026 be the year the ground stations that command them get a bit more love from defense tech companies and investors?

“We are very locked in on investing in the critical infrastructure that keeps U.S. space- and defense-missions resilient and operational as the space domain becomes more contested,” Mina Faltas, founder and chief investment officer for Washington Harbour Partners, told Defense One. 

The private-equity firm, which plans to expand its space investments this year, recently acquired a ground-station company called Outpost Mission Services. 

Washington Harbour also led a $100 million funding round, alongside Andreessen Horowitz, for Northwood Space, which simultaneously announced a $50 million contract to support the U.S. Space Force’s Satellite Control Network.