SQUID3 Space Awarded $75k SpaceWERX SBIR Phase I Contract

To develop a satellite thermal control solution for time-critical missions

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Los Angeles, CA – SQUID3 Space announces it has been selected by SpaceWERX for a SBIR Phase I in the amount of $75k focused on the development of a software definable thermal solution for multi-mission spacecraft to address Tactically Responsive Space (TacRS) challenges in the Department of the Air Force (DAF).

The Air Force Research Laboratory and SpaceWERX, the innovation arm of the U.S. Space Force (USSF) and a unique division within 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 14 May 2024 SQUID3 Space will start its journey to create and provide innovative capabilities that will strengthen the national defense of the United States of America.

“Thermal technologies and practices currently used in the space industry were developed over three decades ago.”

“With recent efforts towards TacRS and the USSF's desire for capabilities that accelerate satellite development schedules, many satellite manufacturers now demand versatile hardware that can be quickly configured and integrated onto a satellite bus within hours or days.” Said Warren Su, CEO of SQUID3 Space.

“Most companies today still design a thermal control system that is mission-specific and fixed to a particular orbit.”

“This significantly inhibits the rapid development timelines required by TacRS programs,” explained Brian Phan, CTO of SQUID3 Space and the Principal Investigator of this SBIR. “SQUID3 brings an innovative mindset and technical team to address this thermal challenge.”

DISCLAIMER: 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 SQUID3 Space

Established in June 2023, SQUID3 Space is committed to modernize satellite thermal control capabilities for both defense and commercial customers. The company's patent-pending thermal tape technology is designed to help standard satellite manufacturers achieve rapid configuration and integration of their thermal control systems within hours. The founders previously worked at NASA, Terran Orbital, and DuPont.

About SpaceWERX

As the innovation arm of the U.S. Space Force and a unique division within AFWERX, SpaceWERX inspires and empowers collaboration with innovators to accelerate capabilities and shape our future in space. Headquartered in Los Angeles, SpaceWERX employs 40 military, civilian and contractor personnel executing an annual $457 million budget. Additionally, SpaceWERX partners with Space Systems Command's Commercial Space Office (COMSO) as a collaborative program. Since it was aligned under AFRL in Aug. 2021, SpaceWERX has executed 906 contracts worth more than $690 million to strengthen the U.S. defense industrial base and drive faster technology transition to operational capability. For more information, visit spacewerx.us.

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 370 military, civilian and contractor personnel at five hubs and sites executing an annual $1.4 billion budget. Since 2019, AFWERX has executed 6,028 new contracts worth more than $4 billion to strengthen the U.S. defense industrial base and drive faster technology transition to operational capability. For more information, visit: www.afwerx.com.

About 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 afresearchlab.com.