Scout Space Wins US Space Force Contract Extension

Scout Space, a pioneering startup specializing in on-orbit navigation and tracking, has announced its partnership with the Stanford University Space Rendezvous Laboratory (SLAB) to secure a $1.5 million contract from the U.S. Space Force. The contract aims to enhance space domain awareness by characterizing spacecraft and debris objects, a critical aspect of the rapidly evolving space industry.

Scout Space, founded in 2019, has quickly risen to prominence for its innovative technologies that promise to revolutionize space navigation and tracking.

The startup's latest achievement comes in the form of a Phase 2 Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) contract, a prestigious award that mandates collaboration between private companies and academic or nonprofit institutions.

The contract was awarded by the Space Force's technology arm, SpaceWERX, as part of its ambitious Orbital Prime project. This comprehensive initiative is dedicated to advancing technologies for debris removal and in-space services, a pivotal undertaking in addressing the escalating issue of orbital debris.

Scout Space's partnership with the Stanford University Space Rendezvous Laboratory, a distinguished department within Stanford University's Aeronautics and Astronautics division, has proven to be a winning formula. The joint effort previously secured a Phase 1 STTR contract in August 2022, solidifying their expertise in the field.

“The characterization of location, motion, and other data of objects in space for space domain awareness requires well-defined processes for processing sensor data. Our work with Prof. D’Amico’s lab is exciting because it lets us tackle an environment - the semi-resolved domain - which is very indeterminate today, and in which few algorithms are proven...We hope to facilitate decision-making across the entire range of rendezvous and proximity operations by achieving continuity and convergence in state estimation from these different phenomenologies.” - Sergio Gallucci, SCOUT’s Co-founder and CTO

“We are poised to increase the technology readiness level of new algorithms at the intersection of astrodynamics, nonlinear estimation, and machine learning to enable new mission concepts in the area of In-Space Servicing, Assembly, and Manufacturing (ISAM)...The US Space Force and SCOUT are giving us a unique opportunity to reach flight readiness with spacecraft navigation technologies that would have normally taken several years to accomplish.” -  Prof. Simone D’Amico, SLAB’s Founder and Director

The Orbital Prime project, spearheaded by SpaceWERX, marks a significant stride toward promoting the commercial development of technologies crucial for orbital debris cleanup and other essential space services. With the selection of 125 industry teams for the project's initial phase, the collaboration between Scout Space and SLAB stands out as a remarkable partnership that is set to contribute significantly to the future of space exploration and sustainability.

About Scout Space

Established in 2019, SCOUT Space was established with a clear mission: to usher in a new era of space safety and transparency. Commencing its in-space offerings in June 2021, SCOUT empowers spacecraft with the ability to perceive and comprehend their surroundings. Leveraging an innovative orbital distributed sensor network, meticulously crafted by SCOUT, the company is set to revolutionize Space Domain Awareness (SDA) and promote responsible utilization of the space realm. Backed by Techstars, MassChallenge, and prominent venture capital support, SCOUT stands as a thriving startup, actively engaged in both governmental and commercial collaborations. Furthermore, SCOUT proudly boasts the prestigious title of Established® 2021 Startup of the Year®, underscoring its outstanding contributions.

To learn more, please visit their official website: www.scout.space.

About Stanford's Space Rendezvoud Laboratory (SLAB)

As the singular entity at the helm of strategizing and implementing pioneering science and technology initiatives for both the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force, this organization serves as the conductor of a global alliance involving government bodies, industries, and academia. Together, they collaboratively delve into the realms of innovation, development, and dissemination of a diverse array of groundbreaking technologies. Esteemed for furnishing cutting-edge capabilities for combat across air, space, and cyberspace domains, it maintains the preeminence of these forces on a global scale. The collective efforts of 10,800 military, civilian, and contractor personnel stationed across 17 research facilities are harmoniously orchestrated, steering a substantial annual budget of $4 billion.

To learn more, please visit their official website: www.afresearchlab.com.

About Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL)

Operating as the creative force within the Department of the Air Force (DAF) and operating as a specialized directorate within the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), this entity serves as a conduit for cutting-edge American innovation sourced from small businesses and startups. Its primary mission involves tackling the most pressing challenges faced by the DAF. With a workforce comprising around 215 military, civilian, and contractor personnel, strategically positioned across five hubs and sites, this dynamic force manages an annual budget of $1.4 billion. Since its inception in 2019, AFWERX has effectively administered 4,671 contracts, collectively valued at over $2 billion. This robust effort is dedicated to fortifying the U.S. defense industrial foundation and expediting the seamless transition of technology to operational effectiveness.

To learn more, please visit their official website: www.afwerx.com.