Geost

Geost operates within the national security space, specializing in the design and production of advanced electro-optical and infrared (EO/IR) sensor payloads for space and ground-based applications. The company was established in 2004 by Anthony Gleckler, who holds a Ph.D. in optics from the University of Arizona. His background in optical sciences has been central to the company's focus on developing sophisticated sensor systems.

The firm primarily serves U.S. defense and intelligence agencies, including the Department of Defense, the Air Force, and the Space Force. Geost's business model revolves around providing hardware and mission support solutions for critical applications such as missile warning and tracking, space domain awareness (SDA), intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), and laser communications. It often collaborates with major defense prime contractors like Northrop Grumman and L3Harris Technologies on significant government contracts. Revenue is generated through federal contracts for research, development, and production of these sensor systems.

Geost's product portfolio includes compact and affordable EO/IR sensors designed for proliferated space architectures, which involve large networks of smaller, less expensive satellites. Key products include the Starlite resiliency payloads, Mercury missile-warning payloads, and Phoenix fire-control payloads. The company also develops ground-based systems, such as the Wolverine Optical Ground Terminals, which support satellite communications and tracking. A notable feature of its offerings is the integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning for autonomous data processing and threat response, minimizing the need for human intervention.

A significant milestone occurred in 2021 when private equity firm ATL Partners acquired a majority stake, integrating Geost into the LightRidge Solutions platform alongside Trident Systems and Ophir Corp. This acquisition provided the capital for significant expansion, leading to a 600% increase in employee count over three years and the doubling of its production facility. In May 2025, it was announced that Rocket Lab USA, Inc. would acquire Geost from LightRidge Solutions, a move intended to enhance Rocket Lab's capabilities as an end-to-end provider of national security space solutions by bringing critical payload technology in-house.

Keywords: electro-optical sensors, infrared sensors, space domain awareness, satellite payloads, missile defense, defense contractor, intelligence surveillance reconnaissance, C4ISR solutions, space electronics, laser communications, national security space, optical collection systems, ground-based sensors, mission support solutions, space situational awareness, EO/IR payloads, aerospace industry, government contractor, military technology, satellite sensor systems