Apolink Launches Orbit Demonstration Satellite to Provide Real-Time LEO Communications

Apolink is constructing a space-based relay network to give low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites continuous, real-time connectivity. In July 2026, the Palo Alto-based company launched its first technology demonstration satellite, IPoS, aboard SpaceX's Transporter-17 rideshare mission from Vandenberg Space Force Base and subsequently made contact with its first satellite in orbit. The mission tests a backward-compatible radio-frequency (RF) relay architecture designed to maintain communications even when customer satellites pass outside the line of sight of ground stations.

Founded in 2024, Apolink is developing a hybrid constellation of 32 satellites using both RF and optical inter-satellite channels. As reported by TechCrunch, the network aims to provide 99% uptime with an initial latency of 10 to 15 seconds, targeting 2 to 3 seconds once fully deployed. According to Data Center Dynamics, the startup has accumulated more than $140 million in letters of intent from satellite operators in Earth observation, communications, and spatial data, including Astro Digital, Hubble Network, and Star Catcher Industries.

Founder Background and Funding

Apolink was founded by CEO Onkar Singh Batra and CTO Geffen Avraham. Raised in Jammu, India, Batra built an open-source 1U CubeSat platform called InQube at age 16, an experience that highlighted the problem of LEO communication blind spots, as detailed by India Today. He later received the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar, served as a project facilitator for IIT Jammu's Satellite Development Program, attended Penn State University, and moved to California to launch the company.

In July 2025, Apolink closed an oversubscribed $4.3 million seed funding round at a $45 million post-money valuation. Investors in the Y Combinator Fall 2024 batch company include 468 Capital, Unshackled Ventures, Rebel Fund, Maiora Capital, and angel investors such as Epsilon3 CEO Laura Crabtree, Pebble Tech co-founder Benjamin Bryant, and former Jump Crypto president Kanav Kariya.

Speaking in an interview with Katherine Jerald, Batra explained the focus on mission operations over standard broadbands: "Technically anyone with a LEO satellite does need mission ops. They do need their TGNC data being down linked and having this opportunity to do up link and down link whenever they want to." He added that the relay service is designed to be "on demand" and "always on specifically meant for mission ops."

Engineering and Operations Hiring in Palo Alto

Apolink operates out of a 4,000-square-foot R&D facility in Palo Alto focused on spacecraft integration, testing, and component manufacturing, including custom radios and optical payloads. The company currently lists two open positions for its Palo Alto office.

Engineers seeking full-time roles can apply through the General Application, an onsite role paying between $70,000 and $200,000 per year. The company uses the listing to source candidates interested in space lasers and radio systems when specific role listings are not active.

For early-career candidates, the Internship General App offers an onsite operations role paying $52,000 to $72,000 per year. Key points for the internship indicate candidates work directly on mission-critical assignments alongside engineers, performing cleanroom satellite assembly, customer contract negotiations, or constellation spacing calculations.

Open Roles at Apolink

See all open roles at Apolink