- SCOUT Space Inc. has been awarded a $1.25 million Phase II SBIR contract by AFWERX to develop autonomous sensor-driven software for critical space missions.
- The software aims to address challenges in the Department of the Air Force, enhancing national security and space domain awareness.
A Leap Forward in Autonomous Space Capabilities
September 12, 2023 | Reston, VA, United States, SCOUT Space Inc. announced today that it has been selected by AFWERX for a Phase II Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract, valued at $1.25 million. The contract focuses on the development of a flight software suite with autonomous sensor-driven multi-agent guidance and navigation capabilities. This initiative aims to address the most pressing challenges facing the Department of the Air Force (DAF).
“SCOUT’s space-based sensing competencies dovetail well into the counter space mission,” said Sergio Gallucci, SCOUT’s Co-founder & CTO. “Data-based and inference-based decision-making, rather than relying on explicit commands, is one of the foundations for autonomy capabilities we’ll only need more as risks continue to proliferate in orbit.”
Strengthening National Security and Space Domain Awareness
The software suite is designed to enhance the safety and effectiveness of critical U.S. Government and commercial satellite constellations, particularly in an increasingly contested space environment. Eric Ingram, SCOUT’s Co-founder and CEO, emphasized the importance of this development, stating, “The development of this software and capabilities is a necessary step forward to ensure the safety of critical space assets in an era of increasing uncertainty.”
A Partnership Aimed at Innovation
The Air Force Research Laboratory and AFWERX have collaborated to streamline the SBIR and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) process, aiming to accelerate innovation by reducing bureaucratic overhead and expanding opportunities to small businesses like SCOUT Space.
