ALEXANDRIA, VA, (December 15, 2021) – Start-up SCOUT announced today that Momentus, the in-space infrastructure company, has selected SCOUT to deliver spacecraft vision capabilities for its upcoming missions. SCOUT will provide Momentus with optical sensing and relative navigation capabilities to support rendezvous and proximity operations (RPO) starting in 2022.
“This deal helps us continue building the foundation for more complex and safe space operations,” said Eric Ingram, co-founder and CEO of SCOUT. “Momentus using SCOUT-Vision systems will highlight the benefits of flying our on-board vision and compute capabilities.”
SCOUT’s products allow spacecraft to see and understand their surroundings with computer vision powered by dedicated AI/ML on-board processing. SCOUT-Vision systems can be used for persistent relative navigation, greatly improving operators’ ability to maneuver spacecraft safely during RPO missions. The first SCOUT-Vision system was launched into orbit in June 2021, and some of the company’s initial offerings focus on de-risking orbital servicing, assembly, and manufacturing (OSAM) operations.
SCOUT-Vision data and analysis on resident space objects (RSOs) includes orientation and heading, and can also be used for not only planned RPO, but also collision avoidance and verification of nearby RSO headings. The company aims to deploy a distributed orbital sensor network to provide unparalleled Space Domain Awareness (SDA) and ensure responsible use of the space environment.
As the number of satellites launched into space continues to grow, and events like the recent Russian anti-satellite missile test create hazardous debris fields, orbits will become increasingly treacherous. Satellite operators will require more and more data on the environment surrounding their spacecraft to ensure safety of flight, and will require intelligent means of maneuvering alongside other satellites. SCOUT is leading the development of technologies, software, and services that will enable operators to confidently perform missions within an increasingly complex and dangerous orbital environment.
Momentus selecting SCOUT to provide vision systems for their Vigoride spacecraft shows the trust and confidence in the SCOUT’s capabilities, and the importance of enhanced spacecraft awareness for the future of complex space operations.
About SCOUT:
SCOUT was founded in 2019 with the mission to enable a new era of space safety and transparency. SCOUT’s in-space products and services, first launched in June 2021, allow spacecraft to see and understand things around them. The orbital distributed sensor network developed by SCOUT will significantly improve Space Domain Awareness (SDA) and ensure responsible use of the space environment. The company is a Techstars, MassChallenge, and venture-backed startup with ongoing government contracts and commercial paid pilots. For more information, visit www.scout.space.