SANTA BARBARA, California — Umbra, a leading American space technology company, today announced a significant expansion of its domestic manufacturing capabilities with the opening of a new 50,000-square-foot production facility in Goleta, located in Southern California. The state-of-the-art facility, officially operational as of June 25, 2025, represents a substantial investment in U.S.-based manufacturing and is poised to dramatically increase the company’s capacity to deliver advanced satellite solutions.
Boosting Production Capacity
The new 50,000-square-foot footprint in Goleta is designed to serve as a central hub for Umbra’s satellite manufacturing operations. Company officials stated that this expansion will quadruple the firm’s annual satellite production capacity. This includes the capability to manufacture new satellites featuring more than four times the imaging throughput compared to previous capabilities, alongside the capacity to produce apertures that are more than four times larger than those previously possible. This increase in scale and efficiency is critical for meeting growing demand for high-resolution space-based data and systems.
Strategic Positioning and Market Focus
The strategic location and enhanced capacity of the new facility position Umbra to deliver tailored radar solutions with unprecedented speed and scale. These solutions encompass a range of offerings, including precision data products derived from their satellite constellation and comprehensive full system deployments for various clients. Umbra, which emerged from stealth mode in 2021, specializes in providing high-resolution synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data, sophisticated SAR systems, and custom radio frequency (RF) mission solutions.
Advanced SAR Technology
A cornerstone of Umbra’s offering is its advanced SAR technology. Unlike traditional optical imaging satellites, SAR systems utilize microwave pulses to create detailed images of the Earth’s surface, irrespective of daylight or weather conditions. Umbra’s SAR technology is particularly notable for its capability to capture images with an impressive 25-centimeter resolution. This high level of detail is achievable even through dense cloud cover and at night, providing critical persistent monitoring capabilities essential for defense, intelligence, environmental monitoring, and other applications where timely information is paramount.
Investment in American Manufacturing and Talent
David Langan, Umbra’s Chief Executive Officer and co-founder, underscored the significance of the new facility. “This facility is a transformative step for Umbra and a significant investment in U.S. manufacturing,” Langan stated. He added that the expansion reflects the company’s deep confidence in its technology, its dedicated team, and the robust demand for timely, trusted, and operational SAR capabilities necessary for national security and commercial applications.
Umbra emphasizes its identity as a company that is 100% American-owned and operated. This structure is fundamental to its core mission, which is built to serve the specific needs of the U.S. defense and intelligence communities. The expansion of the manufacturing base in California directly supports this objective by ensuring a secure and reliable domestic supply chain for critical space assets.
Expanding National Footprint
Beyond the manufacturing expansion in Southern California, Umbra is also enhancing its presence on the East Coast. The company is actively expanding its workforce and doubling its existing office space in Arlington, Virginia. This growth in Arlington is strategically aimed at supporting ongoing research and development initiatives and facilitating closer engagement with government programs and partners. The dual expansion in California and Virginia signifies a comprehensive strategy by Umbra to scale its operations, enhance its technological capabilities, and deepen its ties with key government stakeholders to meet evolving national security requirements.
