NEWARK, California and DALLAS: In a strategic move aimed at reshaping the satellite communications and defense technology sector, Vitesse Systems, a company backed by Dallas-based private equity firm Trive Capital, has announced the acquisition of Spacetime Engineering Inc. The deal positions Vitesse as a leading global supplier of multi-band antenna solutions for military and commercial satellite applications, reinforcing its ambition to deliver integrated communications capabilities across space, air, and ground domains.
Founded in 2013, Spacetime Engineering has emerged as a pioneer in ground antenna technology, particularly known for its high-performance antenna feed systems capable of handling complex, multi-frequency requirements. These systems enable faster data transmission rates, higher download capacity, and operational reliability across mission-critical satellite networks.
The integration of Spacetime into Vitesse comes at a time when defense and commercial operators alike are demanding enhanced versatility and interoperability from their communications infrastructure. With space becoming an increasingly contested domain, both militaries and commercial enterprises require antenna systems capable of supporting data movement across multiple orbits—ranging from geostationary satellites to proliferated low-Earth orbit constellations.
By strengthening its foothold in ground-based solutions, Vitesse will now offer a fully comprehensive antenna portfolio spanning spaceborne, airborne, and ground stations. This integrated approach ensures seamless data flow across the battlespace, a priority for modern militaries that increasingly rely on instantaneous communication links for operational effectiveness.
David Stinnett, Partner at Trive Capital, highlighted the broader strategic vision underpinning the deal, emphasizing how the acquisition of Spacetime expands Vitesse’s technological reach. “With the acquisition of Spacetime, we’ve significantly enhanced our ground antenna capabilities,” said Stinnett. “This addition complements our existing Space and Airborne solutions, allowing us to deliver a complete, connected battlefield solution. Our ability to close the RF link across the entire battlespace is our key differentiator, and this acquisition solidifies that position.”
The consolidation is part of Trive’s larger strategy of transforming middle-market aerospace and defense companies into globally competitive leaders. With more than $8 billion in assets under management, Trive has consistently invested in capabilities that enable communication dominance and operational resiliency for both defense and commercial clients.
Hans Spieleder, President and CEO of Spacetime Engineering, welcomed the acquisition, framing it as a natural step in the company’s growth trajectory. “Joining Vitesse provides us with the platform to reduce design and production timelines while giving us the scale to deliver antenna solutions to a wider range of customers and programs,” he said.
Spieleder further emphasized the synergy between the two companies’ engineering foundations: “Our team is passionate about developing innovative RF and antenna systems, and I believe Vitesse is the perfect partner to support our next phase of growth.”
Vitesse CEO Matthew Alty echoed this optimism, noting how the acquisition builds directly into customer needs in a rapidly evolving security landscape. “As Space has become an increasingly contested domain, customers require ground antenna solutions that can operate across a broader range of frequencies,” Alty remarked. “By combining Spacetime’s multi-band ground antenna expertise with our current Space and Airborne-related antenna solutions, we are uniquely positioned to help our customers transmit, collect, and distribute data quicker, regardless of orbit or mission area.”
Vitesse Systems has long specialized in engineering and manufacturing mission-critical technologies for aerospace and defense. From advanced antenna systems to thermal management solutions and power distribution networks, its products play a vital role in ensuring reliability in some of the toughest operational environments.
Headquartered in Newark, California, Vitesse operates six U.S.-based manufacturing facilities across California, Colorado, Massachusetts, Maryland, and Nevada. All facilities are International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) registered and comply with the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS), making the company a trusted partner for the Department of Defense and a range of private aerospace contractors.
The addition of Spacetime—whose products already support mission-readiness in ground-based satellite communication—further consolidates this trust. Together, the companies will be able to deliver an unmatched portfolio addressing the full lifecycle of military and commercial communications infrastructure.
The acquisition highlights growing momentum in the aerospace and defense sector toward consolidation and integration of communication solutions. With increasing demand for interoperability across networks that span the Earth’s surface to spaceborne satellites, industry leaders are racing to provide end-to-end architectures that reduce operational risk and strengthen resilience against cyber, signal-jamming, and kinetic threats.
For militaries, particularly the U.S. Department of Defense, such advancements are crucial in maintaining dominance in multi-domain operations across air, sea, land, cyber, and space. The ability to establish secure, multi-band RF links across any orbit is considered a cornerstone capability to counter emerging threats from adversaries developing satellite-disruptive technologies.
Commercially, satellite operators and service providers are equally incentivized by the need for ground terminals and gateway systems that can adapt to proliferated satellite fleets. As low-Earth orbit constellations expand, ensuring high-throughput and flexible ground connectivity has become a defining challenge for the new space economy.
Trive Capital’s investment strategy has historically focused on transformative acquisitions in sectors with strong technological foundations and long-term growth potential. The firm’s leadership team, having worked on over 250 middle-market transactions worth more than $10 billion in revenue, has demonstrated a methodical approach to scaling companies with latent value.
The acquisition of Spacetime underscores this philosophy. By bringing together complementary engineering capabilities in space, airborne, and ground antennas under the Vitesse umbrella, Trive is betting on a vertically integrated solution set that addresses the evolving complexity of global communications.
As Vitesse Systems integrates Spacetime Engineering into its operations, industry stakeholders will be watching closely for how the combined entity translates technological synergy into market dominance. With strong backing from Trive Capital, a proven capability in high-frequency communications, and a portfolio stretching across multiple mission domains, Vitesse is now poised to shape the next chapter of secure and adaptable connectivity for the aerospace and defense industry.
The deal not only enhances Vitesse’s present-day competitive positioning but also sets the stage for significant long-term influence in how militaries and commercial operators communicate—from terrestrial gateways to orbital constellations—at the speed and reliability required in an increasingly contested world.
