Space Inventor selected as key supplier in 2025-mission to upgrade satellites in GEO

[Aalborg], August 19th, 2024 – Space Inventor, a specialist in small satellite production since 2015, has been commissioned by Arizona-based Katalyst Space Technologies for a new contract with Pentagon’s Test Resource Management Center (TRMC). The 2025 mission aims to retrofit several fixed platforms with space domain awareness (SDA) capabilities. Once equipped with SDA sensors, the satellites - which have been operating in space for several years already - will be ready to serve a new purpose, as part of a Pentagon-sponsored test and training ground in space.

If successful, the mission will validate that upgrading existing platforms is a viable pathway for the Space Force to rapidly obtain new capabilities in space – including space domain awareness.

Various countries operate large and expensive satellites in orbit, serving as the backbone of almost all long-distance communication on Earth. Increasingly, there are indications that these satellites may be subject to espionage, sabotage, and space warfare. This necessitates the development of a system to protect these vital geostationary satellites.

The first step is to equip valuable geostationary satellites with sensors that can detect and characterize potential threats. By providing the satellite bus for the mission, Space Inventor will play a central role in developing a space domain awareness upgrade that can be retrofitted using in-space servicing.

While some missions focus on launching new satellites equipped with SDA capabilities, Katalyst Space Technologies focuses on upgrading large, fixed platforms in geosynchronous orbit.

"The Space Force wants to close SDA coverage gaps as quickly as possible. We believe a hybrid approach that combines launching small, mobile satellites with upgrading fixed platforms will enable the fastest proliferation of SDA technology," comments Ghonhee Lee, CEO of Katalyst Space Technologies.

The mission also draws on the expertise of the Defense Advanced Research Project Agency (DARPA) and Naval Research Lab, which has developed the robotic payload that will mount the upgrade onto geostationary satellites.

“The cold war has re-emerged on a new battlefield in space. The current geopolitical tensions that are causing wars and various threats on Earth imply that our communication infrastructure may be subject to hostile espionage and sabotage. This poses a serious threat to maintaining our sovereignty in Western countries. At Space Inventor, we contribute with key technologies and products that enhance the protection of unarmed and defenseless satellites, which are vital for communication tasks on Earth,” says Karl Kaas, CEO and founder of Space Inventor.

“Everyone in the space industry aims to deliver at this level. We are now part of an entirely new race where billion-dollar satellites can be retrofitted and have their lifespans extended. This will revolutionize how we consider the ROI of satellites. We are essentially making space history,” adds Kaas.

About Space Inventor
Since 2015, Space Inventor has been a significant player in the small satellite market. Among its many milestones, the company developed the world’s smallest geostationary communications satellite, launched into orbit by SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy rocket in April 2023. Read more on www.space-inventor.com

About Katalyst Space Technologies
Katalyst Space Technologies upgrades satellites post-launch using in-space servicing, giving operators a second chance to add features that maintain their competitive edge. Katalyst develops hardware and software and also contracts with hardware suppliers, robotic servicing technology experts, and other partners to develop and execute missions that solve pressing needs for the US government and its allies. Read more on www.katalystspace.com

For further information, please contact:
Karl Kaas, Founder & CEO, Space Inventor A/S, +45 31 20 82 10 / karl@space-inventor.com
PR: Jacob Lange, Lange PR ApS, +45 20 76 30 20 / jacob@langepr.dk