June 5 (Reuters) - Space startup Apex has more than

doubled its valuation to $2.3 billion in under a year after

raising over $200 million in a new funding round, the firm said

on Friday, underscoring growing investor interest in the sector.

The fundraise comes amid heightened investor enthusiasm in

space exploration and defense, driven by expanding commercial

satellite networks, government-led defense opportunities and

buzz around a SpaceX IPO.

Here are some more details:

* The funding round was led by Glade Brook Capital Partners

and co-led by Washington Harbour Partners with participation

from existing investors.

* New capital will accelerate Apex's expansion of its

satellite manufacturing campus and fund "ahead-of-need

manufacturing" of its satellite platforms, the company said.

* Founded in 2022, Apex builds satellite buses designed to

host commercial and government payloads such as Earth-imaging

capabilities and sensors for missile tracking and defense.

* Earlier this week, Northrop Grumman ( NOC ) said it will

collaborate with Apex to support the development of U.S.

President Donald Trump's Golden Dome missile defense project.

* Apex also named Michael Kopet as its chief financial

officer.

* The company was valued at $1 billion in September last

year after raising $200 million in a funding round.