Phantom Space’s Daytona Rocket (image by Phantom Space)

Launch vehicle manufacturer Phantom Space Corporation has acquired Thermal Management Technologies (TMT) to accelerate the development of its planned orbital data center constellation and further its vertical integration strategy.

TMT is a Utah-based manufacturer of thermal systems for aerospace and defense. Under the purchase agreement announced Thursday, TMT will continue providing satellite components to its existing customers as a subsidiary of Phantom Space.

“TMT’s technology is a critical piece of the puzzle for our constellation,” Phantom Space co-founder and CEO Jim Cantrell said. “They have deep expertise in satellite thermal components, and we see immense potential in their technology to improve the performance and reliability of our orbital infrastructure.”

TMT General Manager and founder Scott Schick will remain in his current role after the acquisition. Cantrell said Schick has his highest confidence and trust, and that the two have known each other for over four decades and were colleagues at the Space Dynamics Lab at Utah State University.

“Given my history with Jim and our shared vision for the future, this partnership was a natural step forward,” Schick said. “By joining Phantom, we are bringing together complementary strengths that will expand one another’s technical capabilities, enhance long-term stability, and accelerate the development of new hardware. We are excited to join the Phantom family and look forward to a successful future together.”

Phantom Space said the acquisition strengthens its ability manage the thermal requirements of high-performance satellites such as the Block I Phantom Cloud spacecraft, part of its planned data center constellation, Phantom Cloud. TMT will serve as a joint developer of the satellites, positioning it to support a wider range of customers, it said.

Phantom Space did not answer Via Satellite’s inquiry to the agreement’s financial terms.

The purchase follows Phantom Space’s acquisition of Vector Launch in February. Cantrell founded Vector in 2016, three years before he co-founded Phantom Space.