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London, 24 February 2023. – CisLunar Industries alongside partners Astroscale U.S., Colorado State University, and another yet to be named, have been awarded a $1.7M Direct-to-Phase II SBIR contract by SpaceWERX, the innovation arm of the U.S. Space Force (USSF).
This newly funded collaboration project directly addresses the Space Force’s desire to make space operations more resilient. The project will focus on a circular propulsion ecosystem based on the ability to recycle metal in space to enable enhanced satellite mobility.
The consortium of Colorado-based organisations will work together to move the project from concept to execution, including developing the propellant rods and delivery systems, and generating market demand.
“This contract demonstrates a commitment to building a foundation for long-term success in space by addressing one of the most limiting factors for space platforms: the quantity of propellant on board needed for orbital manoeuvring,” says Gary Calnan of CisLunar Industries. “This award also helps address another challenge: the ever-increasing amount of space debris, which presents risks of collision and damage to active space platforms.”
These Direct-to-Phase II SBIR awards come through Orbital Prime, a SpaceWERX Prime line of business that is part of a greater effort to create partnerships with companies working in the nascent space industry. Orbital Prime’s focus is on accelerating capabilities related to In-Space Servicing, Assembly, and Manufacturing (ISAM).
