About NantNova

NantNova delivers space-qualified photonic and electronic subsystems for optical communication, navigation, and directed-energy applications. With a 100% US supply chain and vertically integrated fabrication, we achieve 5× lower cost than incumbents while meeting the most demanding space and defense qualification standards.

Company Overview

NantNova Group Overview

NantNova Group Overview

NantNova Solutions Overview

NantNova Solutions Overview

Why NantNova Is Different

Why NantNova Is Different

Trusted by Industry Leaders

Our OCT components and photonic subsystems are deployed across defense, civil space, and commercial programs—from LEO constellations to national laboratories. Our JAXA-deployed LEO-to-GEO optical link has operated continuously for 3+ years on orbit.

NASACivil Space
JAXACivil Space
TASACivil Space
JPLResearch Lab
BoeingAerospace
Lockheed MartinAerospace
Northrop GrummanAerospace
General AtomicsDefense
RaytheonDefense
CACIDefense
SkyloomCommercial
AirbusAerospace
US Air ForceDoD
US ArmyDoD
IntelSemiconductor
NECSemiconductor
Sandia Natl LabsResearch Lab
Los Alamos Natl LabResearch Lab
LLNLResearch Lab
NISTStandards
MITUniversity
EXFOTest & Measurement

Space Qualification

NantNova products are qualified for space, datacenter, and airborne environments. Our photonics radiation qualification program and electronics radiation hardening ensure reliable operation across LEO, MEO, and GEO orbits with extended mission lifetimes.

Radiation Hardening

Photonics and electronics radiation qualification for LEO–GEO orbits. TID and SEE testing per MIL-STD-883.

Thermal Cycling

Qualified for −40°C to +85°C operational range. OCT baseplates tied to radial heat pipes for passive thermal management.

Vibration & Shock

Launch-load qualified random vibration and shock profiles. Titanium housing options for maximum structural integrity.

Vacuum & Outgassing

Materials screened per ASTM E595 for low outgassing. Full vacuum operation validated for on-orbit deployment.

EMI / EMC

Electromagnetic compatibility tested per MIL-STD-461. Clean spectral emissions for multi-payload missions.

On-Orbit Heritage

3+ years continuous operation on JAXA LEO-to-GEO optical link. 1540/1580 nm, beacon-less acquisition in <60 seconds.

Intellectual Properties

A growing portfolio of 8 granted patents, 2 published applications, and 6 pending filings covering TFLN fabrication, optical communication terminals, LiDAR, sensors, and photonic integrated circuits.

US 9,350,452
Optical Communication Terminal
Granted
US 9,395,502
Optical Communication Terminal
Granted
US 9,726,538
Sensor Systems
Granted
US 10,914,646
Sensor Systems
Granted
US 10,976,336
Sensor Systems
Granted
US 11,047,959
LiDAR Systems
Granted
US 11,150,535
OCT / LiDAR
Granted
US 12,306,511
TFLN / OCT
Granted
US 12,422,726 B2
TFLN Electro-Optical Modulator Fabrication
Granted — Sep 2025
US 18/317,534
TFLN / OCT
Published
US 18/741,501
Sensor Systems
Published
18/821,871
PIC / OCT
Pending
18/933,822
PIC / OCT
Pending
19/212,185
Communications
Pending
18/749,225
Communications
Pending
19/186,245
Communications
Pending

Our Facilities

Vertically integrated fabrication across multiple US sites—from TFLN wafer growth and chip fabrication to OCT assembly and qualification testing. Our domestic supply chain eliminates foreign dependency and enables 5× cost reduction through in-house manufacturing.

TFLN Wafer & Chip Fab — El Segundo, CA

Primary US fabrication site for thin-film lithium niobate wafers and photonic chips. Houses the complete TFLN process chain from ion slicing and wafer bonding through e-beam lithography, ICP-RIE etching, and die-level packaging.

Fabrication Equipment

El Segundo, California
  • RF/DC Magnetron Sputtering & E-Beam Evaporator
  • ICP-RIE, IBE & Ion Implantation
  • DWL66+ Direct Write Laser & EBL
  • Stepper Lithography & Spin Coating
  • Wafer Bonder & CMP
  • Profilometer, SEM, AFM & Ellipsometer
  • Die Bonder, Wire Bonder & Dicing Saws

ETFLN Process Line

El Segundo, California
  • Ion slicing — He+ implantation
  • SiO₂ bonding to substrate wafer
  • Rapid thermal detachment & transfer
  • ~8 μm LN film — no lattice damage
  • Up to 110 GHz bandwidth
  • Superior uniformity vs bulk LN

ETFLN Chip Fab — El Segundo, CA

Dedicated enhanced thin-film lithium niobate line using our proprietary ion-slicing process. Produces ~8 μm LN films with zero lattice damage—achieving 110 GHz bandwidth while maintaining crystal integrity that bulk grinding and CMP cannot match.

OCT Assembly & Integration — California

Clean room facilities for SatLight™ OCT assembly, PAT integration, and qualification testing. Prototype through pilot production capacity supporting 2.5G, 10G, and 100G terminal variants with titanium housing options for flight units.

Assembly Capabilities

California
  • ISO Class 7 clean room
  • OCT optical alignment & bonding
  • PAT system integration
  • Environmental test chambers
  • Radiation test coordination
  • Ti housing machining & assembly

100% US Supply Chain

Complete domestic fabrication from raw lithium niobate wafers through finished space-qualified OCT terminals. Vertical integration across wafer fab, chip fab, photonic assembly, and system integration delivers 5× lower cost than competitors while eliminating foreign supply chain risk.

Help Us Connect the World Through Light

NantNova is building the photonic backbone of space communications. We need engineers, scientists, and builders who want to do the most meaningful work of their careers—designing and fabricating the systems that connect satellites, defend allies, and extend humanity’s reach beyond Low Earth Orbit.

Photonics Engineering

TFLN chip design, optical assembly, and process engineering for space-qualified photonic subsystems.

Electronics Engineering

RF/mixed-signal, FPGA, and PCB design for high-speed data processing and control systems.

Systems Engineering

OCT architecture, integration & test, thermal/structural analysis for flight-qualified terminals.

Operations & Manufacturing

Cleanroom fabrication, quality assurance, and supply chain management across our US facilities.

Want to Work With Us?

From DARPA Space-BACN to commercial LEO constellations, NantNova delivers the photonic subsystems your mission demands. Let’s discuss how our vertically integrated US supply chain can accelerate your program.