About

The Vision Behind AscendArc

Engineering the Future of Space-Based Connectivity

Who We Are

AscendArc was founded to transform the economics of satellite communications.

After years working on high-throughput satellite networks at Panasonic and enterprise applications for Starlink at SpaceX, founder Chris McLain saw a gap in the market: traditional GEO satellites were too expensive, too slow to build, and didn’t deliver enough value for emerging connectivity demands.

Inspired by the cost efficiencies of LEO satellite manufacturing,

Chris McLain launched AscendArc to bring that same scalability and agility to geostationary orbit.

Backed by a team recruited from Boeing, Lockheed, Blue Canyon, and beyond, AscendArc is developing a new class of small, high-performance GEO satellites—volume-produced to lower costs and speed deployment.

Black and white photographs of satellite or spacecraft assembly and testing displayed on a gallery wall.

Kevin Crandall, our production manager operating machinery.

Backed by industry-leading VCs, we’ve secured multiple contracts with the U.S. Air Force and are deeply embedded in Oregon’s innovation ecosystem through partnerships with Portland State University, Business Oregon, and other local collaborators.

Electrical Team

Team standing in front of a small spacecraft or satellite in a hangar, both giving thumbs up and smiling.

Group of five people standing in front of a large satellite antenna in a hangar, with an American flag in the background.

Prototyping Team

Mechanical Team

AscendArc is redefining what's possible in geostationary space.

While traditional GEO satellites can take years to build and cost hundreds of millions, we're taking a radically different approach: small, high-throughput GEO satellites that are fast to deploy, cost a fraction of legacy systems, and scale like LEO constellations.

Our team blends deep heritage from aerospace leaders like Boeing, Lockheed, and Panasonic with startup speed and manufacturing innovation from companies like SpaceX, SpinLaunch, and VirginOrbit. We’re not just iterating—we’re building a fundamentally new model for satellite connectivity, one designed for today’s bandwidth demands and tomorrow’s global reach.

Meet the team

We’re a team of industry pioneers with deep expertise in satellite design and scalable manufacturing—working together to build a more connected tomorrow.

Chris McLain

President and Founder

Specialties or Practice areas: Innovative payload designer with 25 years of satellite experience

David Kagan

Executive Director

Experienced satellite CEO – led the Apple-Globalstar deal

Corrie Lamkin

Systems

Expert bus designer with multiple satellites on orbit

BLUE CANYON
TECHNOLOGIES

Sam Walker

RF Payload

Skilled RF engineer with hands on circuit board experience Specialties or Practice areas: Innovative payload designer with 25 years of satellite experience