On April 17, NorthStar Earth and Space Inc., a leader in space situational awareness (SSA) and space domain awareness (SDA), and Viking Acquisition Corp. I, a special purpose acquisition company, announced that they have entered into a definitive business combination agreement. Upon closing of the transaction, shares of the combined company are expected to trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker NSTR.
NorthStar’s planned constellation demonstrates industry-defining capabilities in delivering advanced, scalable SSA and geospatial intelligence services to commercial customers and governments. Through its network of bespoke sensors designed to monitor orbital activity and provide threat detection, NorthStar is uniquely equipped to service the rapidly growing space economy and to provide the necessary support systems to ensure satellite safety, support defense and security operations, and enable orbital sustainability.
Stewart Bain, founder and chief executive officer of NorthStar, said, “NorthStar intends to play a vital role in safeguarding orbital environments and advancing sustainability in space. At this critical juncture, becoming a public company provides NorthStar with unprecedented access to capital to scale our operations. The transaction positions NorthStar to keep pace with the challenges presented by the increased frequency of new launches, and deliver greater value to stakeholders across the space industry. Our team is mission-driven as we seek to make a lasting positive impact on our planet through advanced SSA.”
“We are proud to partner with NorthStar, a company at the forefront of space-based intelligence and a clear leader in addressing the growing need for Space Situational Awareness,” said N. Håkan Wohlin, chief executive officer of Viking. “NorthStar’s differentiated technology, strong customer interest, and scalable business model position it to capitalize on powerful secular tailwinds across defense, security, and commercial space. We believe this transaction offers a compelling opportunity for investors to participate in the next generation of space infrastructure.”
Source: NorthStar
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By Loren Blinde
April 20, 2026
