Quantum Space plans to launch the space infrastructure and services company’s first satellite, Scout-1, on a joint SpaceX Transporter flight before March 2024. From a sun-synchronous Earth orbit, the Scout-1 satellite will test a sensor that Quantum Space plans to send into deep space as part of QuantumNet, a group that will provide communications, navigation and space-based information services to customers in geostationary space. satellite area.

Sue Hall, Quantum Space’s vice president of programs, called the Scout-1 Sentry mission a “stepping stone” on the path to QuantumNet. Hall says Scout-1 sensor will “track persistent space objects” Space NewsIt will demonstrate the connection between Quantum Space’s ground and space infrastructures. During the two-year mission, Sentry Quantum Space plans to improve image processing algorithms. Algorithms that initially run on the ground will be transferred to space-based edge processors on future satellites.

Hall said that over the next two years, Scout-1 Sentry will “operate as a continuous node as we refine and develop much of the architecture we want to bring to space.” Kerry Wisnoski, president and CEO of Quantum Space, called Scout-1 “a significant milestone and the first step towards creating a flexible and modern data and communications network.”

Cislunar Traffic

Commercial and government orbiters and landers plan to travel to interstellar space within the next few years.

“The partnership between the U.S. government and commercial innovators has opened the door to new ideas and breakthroughs in building the space economy, and we are excited to pave the way for the essential infrastructure needed to support deep space commerce, national security, and scientific research.” Wisnoski said in a statement:

Quantum Space’s head of strategy, Phil Bracken, added that cission space “will be a major new use case for companies and countries involved in space operations.” But we need to practice before we get there.”

Bracken said an additional benefit of the Sentry mission is that it shows Quantum Space investors that the Rockville, Maryland-based startup can reach a major milestone in its business plan. Quantum Space raised $15 million in a Series A investment round in late 2022.

Scouts and Rangers

Reprise Space Systems LLC, known as SEOPS, is providing mission integration services and the US-made Equalizer for Scout-1.

Scout-1 is designed to operate with future Scout satellites and Ranger, a Quantum Space spacecraft designed to provide operational capabilities in deep space, including hosting and delivering government and commercial payloads. Additionally, Ranger will be equipped with orbital processors that will run artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms, as well as data and communications sensors.

“Ultimately, our goal is to fully unlock the GEO and cislunar space and help organizations take advantage of new innovations,” Hall said in a statement. “This first demonstration mission will be invaluable as we will gain operational intelligence for our future missions.”