Insider Brief:
- Agile Space Industries has secured the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II contract from SpaceWERX.
- The winning proposal focused on Agile’s Mobile Payload Processing Center (MPPC), a cutting-edge solution designed to bolster mission effectiveness in remote environments.
- One of the standout features of the MPPC is its expandable capacity, capable of accommodating a diverse set of payloads.
- Image credit: Agile Space Industries
Agile Space Industries has secured the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II contract from SpaceWERX. The contract, awarded by the U.S. Space Force’s innovation arm and the Air Force Research Laboratory, underscores Agile’s commitment to advancing space propulsion solutions and addressing critical challenges in space missions.
Agile emerged as one of the select winners of the 2023 SpaceWERX Tactically Responsive Space (TacRS) Challenge, a highly competitive program aimed at identifying groundbreaking concepts to enhance the Space Force’s responsiveness to emerging threats as announced by the company. Out of over 300 contenders, Agile stood out for its innovative approach towards enabling on-demand, tactically responsive launches, crucial for addressing pressing challenges in remote locations.
At the heart of Agile’s winning proposal is the Mobile Payload Processing Center (MPPC), a cutting-edge solution designed to bolster mission effectiveness in remote environments. The MPPC, housed within a 40-foot-long high cube shipping container, offers over 500 square feet of ESD-safe working space, complete with a Class 10,000 (ISO 7) cleanroom environment. Equipped with integrated fire suppression and chemical washdown systems, the MPPC ensures a secure and versatile platform for rapid payload processing, even in the most challenging conditions.
One of the standout features of the MPPC is its expandable capacity, capable of accommodating payloads ranging from standard ESPA payloads to larger configurations, such as ESPA Grande. This versatility caters to the space industry’s diverse needs and provides ample space for multiple operators to work simultaneously on large payloads, enhancing operational efficiency and flexibility.
Kara Grubis, Agile’s vice president of Engineering, expressed gratitude for the recognition from SpaceWERX, emphasizing Agile’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of innovation in the space sector. Grubis highlighted the adaptability of Agile’s mobile units, originally designed for rocket engine testing services, which have now evolved into a multifunctional platform catering to various space and commercial needs.
Beyond its application in payload processing, Agile’s mobile facility holds promise for a myriad of applications, including mobile test stands, hypergolic decontamination units, and scientific laboratories for medical, research, and educational purposes. Capt. George Eberwine, program manager in the Space Safari program office, hailed the MPPC as a game-changer, offering the U.S. Space Force unparalleled flexibility in tackling evolving threats and mission requirements.
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