NorthStar Earth & Space is taking the plunge into the stock market: The space tech company wants to advance its expansion through a $30 million SPAC merger.
• NorthStar goes public via SPAC merger with $30 million
• Focus on space surveillance and satellite-based security technologies
• Listing planned under “NSTR” on the New York Stock Exchange
The space surveillance specialist NorthStar Earth & Space is about to go public. The company said in a press release on April 17 that it has entered into a definitive merger agreement with publicly traded special purpose acquisition company Viking Acquisition. The transaction marks another step in the growing market for space tech companies entering the capital market through SPAC deals. This means that competition in the space tech market is also increasing, which is once again bringing Elon Musk’s SpaceX into focus.
Billion-dollar space surveillance market
NorthStar is positioning itself in a strategically important segment: space situational awareness and geospatial reconnaissance. The company operates a network of specialized sensors that monitor activity in orbit and identify potential threats. These technologies are of increasing importance to both governments and commercial customers.
As a result of the merger, NorthStar will be valued at $300 million, according to the press release. Additionally, the agreement includes $30 million in fully committed Private Investment in Public Equity (PIPE) financing. This is said to be led by the Cartesian Capital Group. Institutional investors from Canada and the USA are also participating.
IPO via SPAC: details of the transaction
The deal is expected to provide NorthStar with at least $30 million in gross proceeds – not including possible additional funds from Viking’s escrow account. Upon completion of the transaction, the combined company’s shares are expected to begin trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “NSTR.”
Viking stock itself is currently showing the typical behavior of many SPACs, as investing.com points out. With a current price of $10.48, it is close to its 52-week high of $10.5 and low of $9.97. The stock has low volatility and has recorded an increase of 4.07 percent since the beginning of the year (as of the closing price on April 23, 2026).
According to the announcement, the proceeds from the merger will be used specifically to expand the technological infrastructure. These include investments in sensor systems for satellites, the integration and deployment of spacecraft, and non-recurring development costs.
Management remains on board – completion planned for 2026
Continuity is also guaranteed: company founder and CEO Stewart Bain will continue to run NorthStar after the IPO, it is said. Both NorthStar and Viking boards of directors unanimously approved the transaction.
“NorthStar intends to play an essential role in protecting the orbital environment and promoting sustainability in space. At this critical moment, going public provides NorthStar with unprecedented access to capital to scale our operations,” Stewart Bain, founder and chief executive officer of NorthStar, is quoted as saying in the press release. “Our team is mission-driven as we strive to create a lasting positive impact on our planet through advanced space situational awareness,” he added.
The deal is expected to close in the third quarter of 2026, subject to customary conditions. NorthStar is headquartered in Montreal and has additional locations in Luxembourg and operations in New York.
The transaction is being supported by well-known financial advisors: Cohen & Company Capital Markets is acting as exclusive financial and capital markets advisor and sole placement agent for NorthStar, while KingsRock Advisors is advising Viking.
With the planned IPO, NorthStar could benefit from the increasing demand for space security solutions – a market that could continue to grow strongly in the coming years.
Bettina Schneider, editorial team at finanzen.net
Selected leveraged products on SpaceX
With knock-outs, speculative investors can participate disproportionately in price movements. Simply select the lever you want and we will show you suitable open-end products on SpaceX
The leverage must be between 2 and 20
Advertising
