Rendering of Scout Space’s optical payload system. Photo: Scout Space

Scout Space has won a new contract from the U.S. Space Force to deliver a new GEO Geostationary Orbit (GEO) space awareness domain (SDA) sensor. The contract, worth $3.8 million, is a Tactical Funding Increase (TACFI) Sequential Phase II contract by the USSF Space Systems Command (SSC) Space Safari Office, with $1.9 million coming from both SpaceWERX and Scout Space’s private match. Scout Space made the announcement, May. 7.

The TACFI program will enable Scout to expand its delivery of advanced SDA data and observation systems, helping defense, civil, and private sector stakeholders maintain operational safety in orbit. The company said the funding aligns with its plans to deploy a distributed constellation of optical sensors and provide full GEO coverage and advancing global SDA networks.

With this funding, Scout will build the first GEO flight unit for its Owl product line, a long-range, independently taskable optical payload system in support of SSC’s Space Safari Office. Designed to deliver object detection and orbit determination, the gimbaled optical Owl sensor strengthens SDA capabilities through advanced tracking and monitoring features, further positioning Scout as a leader in space security technologies.

“The U.S. Space Force’s recognition of Scout’s potential is a testament to the growing importance of space domain awareness in today’s rapidly evolving space environment. This contract not only accelerates our ongoing innovations but also marks a significant step in our mission to improve the safety and security of space for both commercial and government stakeholders,” Philip Hover-Smoot, CEO of Scout Space, said in a statement.