Washington, D.C. July 2, 2024–
Small Business Innovation Research Phase 1 Award will Advance Sea-based Launch
The Spaceport Company announces it has been selected by AFWERX for a SBIR Phase I contract focused on sea-based launch to address the most pressing challenges in the Department of the Air Force (DAF).
The Air Force Research Laboratory and AFWERX have partnered to streamline the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) process by accelerating the small business experience through faster proposal to award timelines, changing the pool of potential applicants by expanding opportunities to small business and eliminating bureaucratic overhead by continually implementing process improvement changes in contract execution. The DAF began offering the Open Topic SBIR/STTR program in 2018 which expanded the range of innovations the DAF funded and now on July 1, 2024, The Spaceport Company will start its journey to create and provide innovative capabilities that will strengthen the national defense of the United States of America.
The Spaceport Company offers two products: a hypersonic missile test range from its specialized launch ship, the Once in a Lifetime, and a containerized telemetry and tracking station able to be operated from austere locations (like on a ship at sea). Their next launch campaign will occur in Q3 2024, no earlier than August 26, 2024.
The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Department of the Air Force, the Department of Defense, or the U.S. government.
About The Spaceport Company
The Spaceport Company (TSC) builds infrastructure to solve the problem of launch site congestion. Founded in 2022, the team has over 30 years of combined experience in the space industry. Leveraging their extensive expertise as well as prior support from the Defense Innovation Unit, TSC developed a cost-effective, self-contained, and scalable rocket launch and landing site concept using ubiquitous commercial maritime vessels, as well as a containerized tracking station system.
About Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL)
The Air Force Research Laboratory is the primary scientific research and development center for the Department of the Air Force. AFRL plays an integral role in leading the discovery, development, and integration of affordable warfighting technologies for our air, space and cyberspace force. With a workforce of more than 12,500 across nine technology areas and 40 other operations across the globe, AFRL provides a diverse portfolio of science and technology ranging from fundamental to advanced research and technology development. For more information, visit www.afresearchlab.com.
About AFWERX
As the innovation arm of the DAF and a directorate within the Air Force Research Laboratory, AFWERX brings cutting-edge American ingenuity from small businesses and start-ups to address the most pressing challenges of the DAF. AFWERX employs approximately 325 military, civilian and contractor personnel at six hubs and sites executing an annual $1.4 billion budget. Since 2019, AFWERX has executed 4,697 contracts worth more than $2.6 billion to strengthen the U.S. defense industrial base and drive faster technology transition to operational capability. For more information, visit: www.afwerx.com.
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Media Contacts
The Spaceport Company
Jenna Ringer- Operations Coordinator
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