Northern Virginia’s space ecosystem just added another major player.
Umbra, a U.S. space technology company known for advanced remote sensing and resilient satellite systems, is investing $6.75 million to establish a new 20,000 square foot facility in Reston, VA. The move will create more than 100 high tech jobs and further cement Fairfax County’s reputation as a hub for national security and space innovation.
For a region already packed with defense contractors, intelligence community support firms, and cutting edge aerospace companies, this expansion signals that the commercial space race is increasingly intersecting with mission focused government work.
What Umbra Actually Does
Founded in 2015 in Santa Barbara, CA, Umbra builds advanced systems that range from sensors to full spacecraft. The company is especially known for its synthetic aperture radar, or SAR, satellite constellation.
SAR technology allows satellites to capture high resolution radar imagery regardless of weather conditions or time of day. That means consistent, reliable data collection in environments where traditional optical systems fall short. Umbra’s constellation is capable of delivering imagery at 25 centimeter resolution, a level of precision that supports both commercial applications and national security missions.
CEO David Langan said the expansion reflects growing demand for high performance, U.S. built space systems. He noted that Umbra has focused on transforming how remote sensing data is delivered, raising the bar for speed, quality, and reliability. The company now leads in modern mesh antenna technology and persistent remote sensing capabilities, which are critical for defense and intelligence customers that rely on timely and accurate data.
The Reston expansion will support Umbra’s rapidly growing remote sensing data division as well as its custom satellite systems work.
Why Fairfax County
If you follow the national security workforce, this move makes strategic sense.
Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeffrey C. McKay pointed out that the county is home to more than 150 companies supporting space-related missions. More than half have expanded or relocated there in recent years. That concentration of talent, proximity to federal agencies, and established defense infrastructure continues to attract companies that operate at the intersection of commercial innovation and government missions.
Victor Hoskins, President and CEO of the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority, emphasized that Umbra’s investment reflects the growing alignment between commercial space capability and national priorities. Northern Virginia has become a trusted platform for companies advancing space technologies that directly support the nation’s security architecture.
For companies like Umbra, being close to federal customers is not just convenient. It is strategic. With major intelligence and defense agencies located in and around the Washington region, access to decision makers, program offices, and acquisition teams can accelerate growth.
State Support and Incentives
Virginia backed the project as well.
Governor Abigail Spanberger approved a $500,000 grant from the Commonwealth’s Opportunity Fund to support the expansion. Additional workforce recruitment and training support will come through the Virginia Jobs Investment Program.
Spanberger highlighted that the expansion deepens Virginia’s role as a hub for advanced satellite systems and resilient space technologies. With more than 100 new jobs tied to mission critical work, the investment reinforces Northern Virginia’s reputation as a cluster for high end space innovation.
What This Means for the Cleared Workforce
For professionals in the space, defense, and intelligence sectors, this is another signal that the space economy is not happening somewhere else. It is happening here.
A 20,000 square foot facility focused on remote sensing and satellite systems suggests opportunities across engineering, data analytics, software development, systems integration, and program management. Given Umbra’s focus on national security missions, many of those roles will likely intersect with the cleared workforce.
Northern Virginia has long been known for cybersecurity and intelligence support. Now it is increasingly known for advanced space systems and commercial satellite innovation as well.
As demand grows for resilient, U.S. built space capabilities, companies like Umbra are positioning themselves close to the agencies shaping the future of space policy and procurement. Fairfax County continues to benefit from that momentum.
The space economy may be global, but for now, a big part of its future is being built in Reston.
