(805) 925-9010
2260 S. Meredith, Santa Maria, CA, 93455
(Santa Maria, CA) (October 12, 2020) – AFWERX, the catalyst for fostering innovation within the U.S. Air Force, announced Space Information Laboratories as one of the top 26 participating teams out of 809 total teams selected from across the globe competing in the EngageSpace challenge, working to revolutionize how the space ecosystem works, dismantle the walls between sectors and close the “believability gap” for what’s possible in space.
The EngageSpace Challenge is centered around four key topics – Department of Defense Commercial Space Partnerships, Global Space Transport and Delivery, Persistent ISR and Space Asset Resiliency.
Space Information Laboratories (SIL) located in Santa Maria, CA competed in the Department of Defense Commercial Space Partnership Challenge alongside a diverse group of teams – originating from the U.S., Canada, Europe, Australia, Brazil and other allied countries – that represent entrepreneurial startups, small businesses, large enterprises, academic institutions and research labs all vying to enable government buyers to pursue the most promising solutions to the most pressing challenges in the space domain.
“The AFWERX EngageSpace Challenge is critical to the future of industrial development in space,” stated Mark Rowland of AFWERX. “On behalf of AFWERX and the Department of Defense, we congratulate the teams advancing to the next phase. Their contributions are invaluable and have the potential to create game-changing results across the Air Force enterprise.”
The Department of Defense Commercial Space Partnership Challenge focuses on magnifying the capabilities of the Department of Defense (DoD) by expanding and strengthening its commercial portfolio. Teams competed to identify cutting-edge commercial satellite technology and uncover new payload ideas, designs, and prototypes to expand the DoD’s capabilities.
Space Information Laboratories Li-Ion Polymer Intelli-Pack® Battery solution with advanced BMS (US Patent # 9,748,541 B2) for launch vehicles and Small Satellites enables safely powering all subsystems and high power payloads simultaneously up to 7KW Peak Power (SAR, Laser Comm, etc.) within a very small volume and weight, rapid recharge during every orbit (20-30% Depth of Discharge to full charge with C/2 charge rate) and excellent cycle life (> 25,000 cycles at 20-30% Depth of Discharge at C/2 charge and discharge rate to 80% capacity). SIL Battery Engineering and Flight Units from 1AH to 150Ah (12.6 to 67.2 Vdc) can be provided rapidly with the scalable battery design that works in extreme thermal cycle and vacuum (-55C to +71C), high vibration (Up to 60 GRMS) and shock (1000-2000G) environments.
SIL’s game changing Li-Ion battery technology will enable DoD and NewSpace commercial companies to greatly reduce weight and volume for batteries on launch vehicles and simultaneously powering all SmallSat subsystems and high power payloads from one battery stated Edmund Burke, SIL CEO/Founder.
The AFWERX EngageSpace Challenges attracted 809 solutions and featured over 50 space subject matter experts from the U.S. government to review the submissions. Throughout the event teams showcased virtual booths complete with video links, their challenge submission, and digital brochures. The top 171 teams were invited to pitch their solutions to a panel of subject matter experts, followed by a Q&A from the evaluation team. The top 31 solutions from a total of 26 teams were then identified and invited to further engage with the Air Force with the aim of obtaining contracts. For a complete list of participating teams visit Engage.Space/exhibitors.
ABOUT SPACE INFORMATION LABORATORIES (SIL)
Headquartered in Santa Maria, CA near Vandenberg AFB, SIL is a world-class small business supplier of innovative avionics and power system technologies and solutions for mission-critical programs for the MDA, NAVAIR, USAF, DARPA, Aerospace Industry, and other U.S. Government Agencies. SIL’s expertise includes development and production of Li-Ion Polymer Intelli-Pack® batteries, Intelli-Avionics®, VBITS GPS Tracking and Autonomous Flight Termination System (AFTS), Space Based Range and Chameleon 12U to 27U Flexible Bus product lines. SIL is AS9100D Quality Management System certified to design, manufacture and test flight units. (www.spaceinformationlabs.com)
ABOUT AFWERX
Established in 2017, AFWERX is a product of the U.S. Air Force, directly envisioned by former Secretary of the Air Force Heather Wilson. Her vision of AFWERX — to solve some of the toughest challenges that the Air Force faces through innovation and collaboration amongst our nation’s top subject matter experts. AFWERX serves as a catalyst to unleash new approaches for the warfighter through a growing ecosystem of innovators. AFWERX and the U.S. Air Force are committed to exploring viable solutions and partnerships to further strengthen the Air Force, which could lead to additional prototyping, R&D, and follow-on production contracts.
Media Contacts:
Space Information Laboratories
CEO/Founder
Edmund Burke, 805-925-9010, Ext. 101#
Edmund.Burke@spaceinformationlabs.com
AFWERX:
