To Enable Tactically Responsive (TacRS) Payload Modularity, Integration, and Capability
Reston, VA, (January 09, 2024) - SCOUT Space Inc.,a leading in-space observation service provider focused on space security and comprehensive Space Domain Awareness (SDA), announces it has been selected by AFWERX for a Phase II SBIR in the amount of $1.8M to deliver a “TacRS OWL” space domain awareness sensor system, to address the most pressing challenges in the Department of the Air Force (DAF). The Air Force Research Laboratory and AFWERX have partnered to streamline the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) process by accelerating the small business experience through faster proposal to award timelines, changing the pool of potential applicants by expanding opportunities to small business and eliminating bureaucratic overhead by continually implementing process improvement changes in contract execution. The DAF began offering the Open Topic SBIR/STTR program in 2018 which expanded the range of innovations the DAF funded and now on December 13, 2023, SCOUT will start its journey to create and provide innovative capabilities that will strengthen the national defense of the United States of America.
“We’re looking forward to working with the DoD to develop our next generation of plug-and-play SSA capabilities that can provide visibility in LEO, GEO and the Cislunar domain,” Eric Ingram, SCOUT’s Co-founder & CEO commented on the contract win. “This a milestone achievement for SCOUT and a step forward for space safety.”
DISCLAIMER: The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Department of the Air Force, the Department of Defense, or the U.S. government.
About SCOUT Space
SCOUT Space was founded in 2019 with the mission to enable a new era of space safety and transparency. SCOUT’s in-space products and services, first launched in June 2021, allow spacecraft to see and understand things around them. The orbital distributed sensor network developed by SCOUT will significantly improve Space Domain Awareness (SDA) and ensure responsible use of the space environment. The company is a Techstars, MassChallenge, and venture-backed startup with ongoing government and commercial contracts. SCOUT holds the Established® 2021 Startup of the Year® title. For more information, visit www.scout.space.
About AFRL
The Air Force Research Laboratory is the primary scientific research and development center for the Department of the Air Force. AFRL plays an integral role in leading the discovery, development, and integration of affordable warfighting technologies for our air, space and cyberspace force. With a workforce of more than 12,500 across nine technology areas and 40 other operations across the globe, AFRL provides a diverse portfolio of science and technology ranging from fundamental to advanced research and technology development. For more information, visit afresearchlab.com.
About AFWERX
As the innovation arm of the DAF and a directorate within the Air Force Research Laboratory, AFWERX brings cutting-edge American ingenuity from small businesses and start-ups to address the most pressing challenges of the DAF. AFWERX employs approximately 325 military, civilian and contractor personnel at six hubs and sites executing an annual $1.4 billion budget. Since 2019, AFWERX has executed 4,697 contracts worth more than $2.6 billion to strengthen the U.S. defense industrial base and drive faster technology transition to operational capability. For more information, visit: afwerx.com.
SCOUT Space Press Contact:
Trisha Navidzadeh
Director of Marketing & Public Relations
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