Scientific Systems Secures STTR Phase 2 Contract for Space Objects Detection, Identification

The U.S. Space Force has awarded Massachusetts-based company Scientific Systems a $1.5 million Small Business Technology Transfer Phase 2 contract to detect and identify objects in space.

According to Owen Brown, vice president of research and development at Scientific Systems, the company will work with Stanford University’s Space Rendezvous Laboratory to develop software that would allow satellites to identify and interact with other satellites or debris. Brown said the software will be used in small cameras installed on satellites.

The contract was awarded under the Space Force’s Orbital Prime program, SpaceNews reported Tuesday.

The Scientific Systems award was one of several contracts issued under the Orbital Prime program.

In late September, the U.S. Air Force’s AFWERX awarded Rogue Space Systems two STTR Phase 2 Orbital Prime contracts to continue developing a cube satellite dispenser system and a robotic spacecraft manipulation solution. The cubesat dispenser must be compatible with other launch providers’ deployment systems while the spacecraft manipulation robot must service and maneuver satellites and other objects in space.