ORLANDO, Fla – A U.S. Space Force initiative aimed at catalyzing the market for on-orbit services is entering a decisive phase. Orbital Prime, now over two years old, awarded study contracts to more than 100 companies focused on In-Space Servicing, Assembly, and Manufacturing (ISAM). This includes a broad range of technologies, from robotics to advanced sensors to debris-capture devices.
The program downselected 41 companies that are now working under Phase 2 Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contracts. SpaceWERX, the Space Force’s innovation arm that runs Orbital Prime, is now weighing next steps for the program, trying to gauge the maturity of technologies, their utility and possible commercialization paths.
The ultimate winners will be those that can bridge the gap to commercial markets, said Ellen Chang, a SpaceWERX adviser and head of space ventures at the consulting firm BMNT.
Chang is meeting with the Orbital Prime cohort this week in Orlando, where the Space Force is hosting a Space Mobility Conference to discuss opportunities for the ISAM industry to capture new customers.
BMNT is working under a $9 million contract in support of the SpaceWERX Orbital Prime cohort development program, which educates companies and helps them network with government buyers and private investors. “Our aim is to provide SpaceWERX with a portfolio view of how the cohort is doing and what risks are involved like fundraising, product development and supply chain,” Chang said.
“We have 41 companies that are currently in their transition journey to support the ISAM market,” she said. “A crucial part of enabling innovation is making the connections between government and private companies. Our objective is also to support the government to constantly iterate on its approaches to becoming a great customer and partner to space companies.”
Phase 2 contracts
Over the past year SpaceWERX has awarded 20 Phase 2 contracts…
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