WASHINGTON — Voyager Space, a Denver-based space exploration and technology company, announced Jan. 16 it is changing its name to Voyager Technologies to emphasize a broader focus on national security and defense markets.
The move comes as commercial space companies seek to capture defense contracts amid rising geopolitical tensions and military modernization efforts.
Voyager is restructuring its operations into three business segments: Defense and National Security; Space Solutions; and Starlab Space Stations. The latter division oversees the company’s participation in NASA’s commercial space station program, a collaboration with Airbus, Mitsubishi, and MDA Space to maintain human presence in low-Earth orbit after the International Space Station’s planned retirement.
Increased focus on defense
“This is more than a name change — it’s a declaration to the broader market of our expanded capabilities,” Dylan Taylor, chairman and CEO of Voyager, said in a statement. “It positions us across broad technology markets and underscores our commitment to delivering mission-critical solutions that address the most complex challenges from ground to orbit.”
Matthew Kuta, president of Voyager, highlighted the shift as a response to an “increasingly complex global geopolitical landscape.” While defense and national security have always been part of Voyager’s portfolio, Kuta said the company is now “publicly elevating this focus.”
Partnerships and projects
The company’s Defense and National Security segment is being positioned to work with major defense contractors on technologies such as missile propulsion, advanced navigation, and sensing solutions. Voyager’s portfolio includes Valley Tech Systems (VTS) and Space Micro, subsidiaries that have secured a number of national security contracts.
VTS specializes in controllable solid propulsion systems, such as those used in Lockheed Martin’s Next Generation Interceptor program for the Missile Defense Agency. These systems offer the performance of liquid-fuel propulsion with the simplicity of solid-fuel technology. Space Micro focuses on high-performance avionics and space subsystems, including laser communications and electro-optics.
The rebranding announcement follows key executive appointments. Matt Magaña, a former Raytheon executive, was named head of Voyager’s national security business in October. Wallis Laughrey, formerly of Raytheon and Anduril Industries, joined as chief strategy officer in December. Earlier this month, Dan Caine, a retired U.S. Air Force lieutenant general and former associate director of the CIA, was appointed chairman of Voyager’s newly created Defense & National Security Advisory Board.
Voyager is also exploring artificial intelligence and machine learning applications for defense. The company recently partnered with Palantir Technologies to develop AI-driven solutions for national security programs.
