Mobility

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\u200bPhoto: Gitai

Space robotics company Gitai raised a $30 million Series B extension this week, bringing the total value of the round to roughly $47 million.

The funding will be used to further develop Gitai’s suite of space robots as well as build out its manufacturing footprint in Torrance. Previously Gitai announced it raised a $17.1 million Series B in March 2021; this additional raise is still part of that round.

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Image courtesy of Virgin Orbit

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Three Southern California aerospace companies located near Space Beach have purchased the assets and property of Virgin Orbit at a bankruptcy auction, effectively putting an end to the six-year-old satellite launch firm’s operations.

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Photo courtesy of Joby Aviation

Turns out, it’s incredibly expensive to get an air taxi startup off the ground. At least, that’s what Joby Aviation is learning as it claws its way towards an ambitious 2025 liftoff deadline.

The Santa Cruz-based company is one of several vying for a prime spot in the electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL, for short) industry race, but it’s also one of the oldest. Formed in 2009, the company went public in August 2021, and valued at $4.5 billion, thanks in part to backing from big-name transport companies including JetBlue, Delta Airlines, Toyota and Uber. Toyota is Joby’s largest outside shareholder; it’s invested roughly $400 million to date.

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