………. ………. ………. ………. ………. ………. ………. ………. ………. ………. ………. ………. ………. ………. ………. ………. ………. ……….

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The U.S. Space Force wants satellites and spacecraft to autonomously manage problems in space, and it’s seeking innovative startups to build the smart technology needed to enable space vehicles with such controls.

That’s the focus of the third annual Hyperspace Challenge, an Albuquerque-based program created by the Air Force Research Laboratory at Kirtland Air Force Base in partnership with the ABQid business accelerator run by CNM Ingenuity, which manages all commercial endeavors for Central New Mexico Community College. The partners are now recruiting companies from New Mexico and elsewhere to participate in this fall’s program, which begins in October.

Companies accepted into the accelerator will spend three months developing innovative technology that can provide military agencies and other government entities with secure, trustworthy, autonomous and automated solutions for space operations, said Hyperspace Challenge Program Director Roxanne Aragon.

“We believe there are many new and emerging technologies out there that can help the government better achieve its mission in space,” Aragon said. “We want to reach out broadly to software, artificial intelligence and other technology companies for solutions.”

The annual accelerator, which launched in 2018, pairs participating companies with government contractors to resolve critical issues, potentially leading to contracts to build new technology for the U.S. Department of Defense and other entities like NASA. The last two accelerators in 2018 and 2019 focused, respectively, on data analytics to manage reams of information received from space operations, and new technologies for small satellites.

Of the 24 startups that participated in the past two programs, 16 received government contracts after leaving the accelerator, generating more than $7 million in revenue for those companies.

……………………………………………………….

“We launched the accelerator under the assumption that startups need a better understanding of government needs and the DOD needs a better understanding of what commercial businesses can offer,” said Matt Fetrow, director of AFRL NM’s Technology Engagement Office. “It’s about making connections between innovative companies and government customers, and it’s been very successful.”

It’s part of a national effort by the Air Force and other defense-related agencies to more rapidly develop and acquire technologies that improve military capabilities by tapping into private sector ingenuity, in this case to help modernize the DOD’s space-related defense systems.

The application period for this year’s program is open through Sept. 10, with selected participants announced in late September. The program will be run completely online, culminating in a live pitch event on Dec. 3 where the companies will compete for cash prizes.

For more information, visit hyperspacechallenge.com.