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Sidus Space Inc. (SIDU)·Q4 2024 Earnings Summary
Executive Summary
- Q4 2024 revenue was approximately $0.83M (derived from FY less 9M), down sequentially from $1.87M in Q3 and reflecting lumpy milestone timing; gross margin contracted to roughly -90.9% on higher depreciation from the first satellite asset .
- Full-year 2024 revenue was $4.67M (-22% YoY), with net loss of $17.5M; SG&A was ~$14.2M (flat YoY). Cash ended 2024 at $15.7M, bolstered by ~$21M of late-2024 financing activities ($14M private placement in Dec; $7M public offering in Nov) .
- Management emphasized a deliberate shift toward higher-margin data/AI and satellite manufacturing, citing a ~200M pipeline and $78M of proposals submitted in 2024, plus FCC micro-constellation approval and cost reductions per satellite (LS‑3 45% below LS‑1) .
- FY results missed sparse S&P Global consensus: revenue $4.67M vs $8.00M* and EPS -3.60 vs -0.78*; limited coverage (1 estimate) suggests estimates likely need to reset lower as mix shifts and depreciation flows through P&L (Values retrieved from S&P Global).
What Went Well and What Went Wrong
What Went Well
- FCC authorized a remote sensing micro-constellation (LizzieSat 2–5), enabling on-orbit expansion and data-as-a-service scaling .
- Platform progress and cost down: LizzieSat‑2 launched Dec 21, 2024; LizzieSat‑3 launched Mar 15, 2025, with LS‑3 total cost 45% below LS‑1 and operations established within two hours .
- Strategic wins support pipeline: exclusive selection to build Lonestar’s six‑satellite lunar data fleet; CEO: “we’ve evolved…into a full‑fledged space technology and AI company, focused on…AI‑powered space data solutions” .
What Went Wrong
- Q4 revenue down sequentially (~$0.83M) and YoY (-38.5% vs ~$1.34M in Q4’23), reflecting milestone timing and the transition in mix; Q4 gross margin ~-90.9% due to depreciation and cost mix .
- FY revenue declined 22% YoY to $4.67M; adjusted EBITDA loss widened to $(12.9)M and net loss to $(17.5)M, underscoring the cost of building the constellation and investing in AI/data .
- Consensus gap: FY 2024 revenue and EPS missed limited S&P Global expectations (1 estimate each), pointing to a reset in Street modeling as the business mix shifts (Values retrieved from S&P Global).
Financial Results
Quarterly performance (Q2 → Q3 → Q4 2024)
Notes: Q4 metrics are derived from FY minus 9M where quarterly disclosure was not provided.
Q4 YoY comparison
Full-year 2024 summary
Segment breakdown: Not disclosed as separate reportable segments in these materials.
KPIs and operating milestones
Guidance Changes
Note: No numerical guidance ranges were provided in Q4 materials.
Earnings Call Themes & Trends
Management Commentary
- “2024 was a defining year… we’ve evolved from a space manufacturing and services company into a full‑fledged space technology and AI company” — Carol Craig, CEO .
- “As we transition to data and technology services, we expect to see smoother and more stable revenue trends” — CFO remarks .
- “With 3 LizzieSat satellites now in orbit… we’re focused on achieving EBITDA positivity and generating free cash flow” — CEO .
- “LizzieSat‑3… established communication and control… in less than 2 hours; total cost 45% less than LizzieSat‑1” — Company update .
Q&A Highlights
- Stock performance disconnect: Management cited sector volatility and macro factors; reiterated focus on scaling DaaS, strengthening recurring revenue, and disciplined financial management to drive recognition of intrinsic progress .
- Capital strategy/dilution: Early scaling phase requires upfront investment; as recurring data services expand, management expects less external capital over time; aim is an increasingly self‑sustaining model .
Estimates Context
Coverage was sparse (1 estimate). Misses on FY revenue and EPS imply Street models likely need to recalibrate for depreciation drag and the timing of data/milestones (Values retrieved from S&P Global).
Key Takeaways for Investors
- Mix transition is real but painful near-term: depreciation and milestone timing drove a sharp Q4 gross margin contraction; FY revenue fell 22% even as strategic positioning improved .
- Regulatory and platform milestones de‑risk scaling: FCC micro‑constellation license, space‑to‑space relay approval, and LS‑2/LS‑3 launches underpin DaaS potential and faster tasking/data delivery .
- Cost curve bending: LS‑2 and LS‑3 costs materially below LS‑1; sustained cost-down improves pathway toward EBITDA break-even as volume and data monetization ramp .
- Liquidity improved: YE cash $15.7M from late‑2024 financings provides runway to execute on constellation and AI roadmap; watch cash burn vs. contract conversion in 2025 .
- Pipeline is sizable but needs conversion: ~$200M opportunities and $78M submitted proposals reflect demand; bookings/backlog conversion cadence is the key stock catalyst in 2025 .
- Near-term trading setup: Updates on LS‑3 commissioning, data subscription wins (e.g., HEO), and additional government/defense awards are likely catalysts; model risk remains around revenue lumpiness and depreciation‑weighted COGS .
- Medium-term thesis: If Sidus executes on AI-driven on‑orbit analytics and grows recurring DaaS alongside lower-cost satellite manufacturing, operating leverage and margin inflection are achievable as platform scales .
Appendix: Primary Source Documents
- Q4/FY 2024 8‑K and press release:
- Q4 2024 earnings call transcript: –; alt –
- Q3 2024 8‑K/press: – –
- Q2 2024 8‑K/press: – –
- Relevant Q4 2024 press releases: FCC micro‑constellation approval ; LS‑2 launch ; $14M private placement ; LS‑2 ready ; Lonestar selection
Estimates disclaimer: *Values retrieved from S&P Global.