aerospace
Department of the Air Force & Catalyst Accelerator Ogden Select Eight Companies to Join the Digital Model Certification Accelerator Cohort
In partnership with Department of the Air Force Digital Transformation Office, the Catalyst Accelerator Ogden launches its Spring 2023 cohort of eight innovative small businesses with technology solutions to accelerate and automate DAF certification processes.
OGDEN, Utah (Newswire.com) – The Catalyst Accelerator Ogden (CAO) is launching its second cohort in partnership with the Department of the Air Force (DAF) Digital Transformation Office (DTO). Eight small businesses from across the United States will come together to solve a stated DAF challenge statement focused on Digital Model Certification (DMC).
This Digital Model Certification cohort’s mascot was designed in partnership with Weber State University. Follow Catalyst Accelerator Ogden on LinkedIn to vote for and learn the mascot’s name!
The Catalyst Accelerator Ogden exists to empower nontraditional technology companies to accelerate their involvement in the national defense ecosystem by providing connections, mentorship, and business development in a collaborative setting for a lasting national impact. USAF certification processes (i.e. airworthiness, cyber security, nuclear surety) require timely input and assessment of underlying engineering to assist certification teams. With the rise of digital twins, model-based engineering, and Dev*Ops, certification of complex weapon systems has expanded beyond what humans can do in a timely fashion. Therefore, in partnership with the DAF, the Catalyst Accelerator Ogden sought disruptive technologies and capabilities to help accelerate and automate certification processes.
Each company will collaborate with subject matter experts, work with government and commercial Sherpas, and complete an intensive customer discovery process. The cohort culminates with Demo Day on May 24 in Ogden, where they will pitch their technology to Government and Industry partners.
Accelerator in Session: March 7 – May 25, 2023
Kickoff Event: March 9, 2023 (FREE! register here)
Demo Day: May 24, 2023 (FREE! save-the-date registration here)
The CAO team, with technical advisement from both Government and Industry experts, selected the following small businesses to participate in the upcoming cohort:
- Acuity Innovations (Colorado Springs, Colorado)
- GURU Technologies (Layton, Utah)
- InnoVet (Dover, Delaware)
- Intrinsic (Newcastle, Washington)
- OP Media (Draper, Utah)
- Prewitt Ridge (Los Angeles, California)
- RedShred (Baltimore, Maryland)
- Tensor Networks (Sunnyvale, California)
See attachment for additional company details.
Involvement Opportunities:
The CAO is enhanced by partnerships with Weber State University, sponsors, and industry mentors. The kickoff event and Demo Day are both sponsored by Field Aerospace. If you are interested in sponsorships or partnerships, contact Amanda McCrea.
About Catalyst Accelerator Ogden
The CAO is a collaborative program hosted by Catalyst Campus for Technology and Innovation (CCTI, a Colorado 501(c)3) in partnership with the DTO to provide a robust, mentor-driven curriculum for Accelerator companies. It is a defense and national security industry accelerator, headquartered at CCTI in Ogden, Utah. CCTI is a collaborative ecosystem where industry, small business, entrepreneurs, startups, government, academia, and investors intersect with Utah’s aerospace and defense industry to create community, spark innovation, and stimulate business growth.
Contact:
Amanda McCrea (Program Manager), [email protected], LinkedIn
Source: Catalyst Accelerator Ogden
aerospace
United States Space Force: Protecting America’s Interests in Space
“Learn about the United States Space Force: its formation, purpose, and role in protecting national security and space assets.”
The United States Space Force (USSF) is the newest branch of the U.S. Armed Forces, established to protect American interests in space. It was formed on December 20, 2019, when President Donald Trump signed the United States Space Force Act, making it the first new independent military service in over 70 years.



While the concept of a Space Force had been discussed since the 1950s, the need for a dedicated space-focused military branch became increasingly evident with the growing importance of space in national security and defense. The USSF operates under the Department of the Air Force, similar to how the Marine Corps operates under the Department of the Navy. It is led by the Secretary of the Air Force and its military heads are the Chief of Space Operations and the Vice Chief of Space Operations.
The Space Force’s primary purpose is to ensure the freedom of operation in space and protect U.S. space assets. It is responsible for organizing, training, and equipping space forces, which are then deployed to the unified combatant commands, particularly the United States Space Command. The Space Force operates various programs and systems, including GPS, the Space Fence, military satellite communications constellations, X-37B spaceplanes, the U.S. missile warning system, the U.S. space surveillance network, and the Satellite Control Network.



The USSF’s formation marked a significant recognition of the critical role space plays in national security, communication, and technological advancement. As the world becomes increasingly reliant on space-based assets for navigation, communication, and intelligence gathering, the Space Force aims to protect these capabilities, deter aggression, and maintain superiority in space.
By establishing the Space Force, the United States has demonstrated its commitment to safeguarding its interests in space and maintaining its position as a global leader in space capabilities. As technology continues to advance and more nations venture into space, the United States Space Force will play a vital role in ensuring the security and resilience of American assets in this final frontier. Kindly click on the link for further details: https://www.spaceforce.mil/
aerospace
NASA Announces Near-Earth Communications, Navigation Industry Studies
NASA selected four companies to perform capability studies with the goal of enhancing its space communication and navigation services in three areas: wideband satellite communications, phased array ground systems, and constellation topology analysis. Through these studies, NASA aims to better understand industry strengths, streamline operations, and smoothly shift to commercial services for space communication and navigation.
The contract awardees are:
- Cesium Astro of Austin, Texas, for $395,640 (Study Area 1 – Wideband Satellite Communications)
- Swedish Space Corporation of Horsham, Pennsylvania, for $149,028 (Study Area 2 – Phased Array Ground Systems)
- Intuitive Machines of Houston, Texas, for $126,650 (Study Area 3 – Constellation Topology Analysis)
- MTI Systems of Lothian, Maryland, for $91,012 (Study Area 3 – Constellation Topology Analysis)
The awards, under the Next Space Technologies for Exploration Partnerships-2 (NextSTEP-2) Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) Appendix L, are firm fixed-price milestone-based contracts.
“The agency’s overarching goal is to create a reliable, robust, and cost-effective set of commercial services for space communications and navigation in which space mission users can seamlessly “roam” between an array of space-based and ground-based networks,” said Greg Heckler, commercialization lead for NASA’s Space Communications and Navigation (SCaN) at the agency’s headquarters in Washington.
SCaN manages the agency’s two main networks: the Deep Space Network for distant missions and the Near Space Network for missions operating closer to Earth, operated through a mix of government and commercial entities. NASA seeks to create an interoperable architecture composed of a mixture of existing NASA and commercial services. These awards are furthering the agency’s long-term goal of a smooth transition to fully commercialized communications services for near-Earth users.
While each of the awards are diverse in scope, they serve to advance NASA’s understanding of the commercial communications and navigation landscape.
Cesium Astro will take on a forward-thinking study in wideband terminal design that will tap into their technological expertise and established enterprise partnerships.
Swedish Space Corporation, along with the support of Celestia Technologies Group, will conduct an in-depth study on cutting-edge phased array technologies and contribute to the exploration of economically viable lower-cost network solutions.
Intuitive Machines and MTI Systems will provide NASA with insights from satellite constellation crosslink topology studies to inform the agency’s immediate requirements and chart pathways to steer future endeavors.
These studies may add to the evolution of the agency’s Near Space Network and NASA’s vision for a resilient and robust space and ground communications and navigation infrastructure.
NASA’s Near Space Network is managed by the agency’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, under the direction of the SCaN program. SCaN continues to pursue regular industry engagement to identify matches between commercial capabilities and future NASA needs.
Learn more about the NextSTEP public-private partnership model at:
aerospace
Boom Supersonic Advances Flight Preparations for XB-1: Key Milestones Completed
Boom Supersonic’s XB-1: Advancing supersonic flight with key milestones and preparations for first flight. #aviation #supersonic



Boom Supersonic, the pioneer in supersonic travel, has achieved significant milestones in the development of XB-1, their groundbreaking technology demonstrator aircraft. Leveraging cutting-edge advancements in aviation technology, XB-1 is a stepping stone towards the development of Overture, the world’s fastest airliner. With recent progress in preparing XB-1 for its first flight, Boom Supersonic is one step closer to revolutionizing air travel.
A Major Move and Extensive Ground Testing:
Earlier this year, XB-1 was relocated from Boom’s hangar in Centennial, Colorado, to the Mojave Air & Space Port in California, marking an important step in the flight preparations. Since arriving at Mojave, the aircraft has undergone rigorous ground testing, including recent taxi testing, showcasing the company’s commitment to safety and performance.


















Key Approvals and Authorizations:
Boom Supersonic has achieved significant regulatory milestones for XB-1. The aircraft has received an experimental airworthiness certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) after a thorough inspection. Additionally, Chief Test Pilot Bill “Doc” Shoemaker and test pilot Tristan “Gepetto” Brandenburg have been granted authorization to fly XB-1. Furthermore, letters of agreement with airspace authorities have been secured, allowing for flights over the Mojave desert—an airspace rich in aviation history.
Safety and Proficiency:
The development of XB-1 has provided valuable insights for Boom Supersonic, including the establishment of a robust safety culture. The test pilots have completed extensive simulator training, evaluations, and human factors assessments to ensure the highest levels of safety. To further enhance safety protocols, the test pilots maintain flight proficiency in a T-38 trainer aircraft, which will also serve as a chase plane during XB-1’s flight tests.
The Path to Overture:
XB-1’s successful progress has validated Boom Supersonic’s airplane design approach and enabled engineers to leverage advanced tools such as computational fluid dynamics (CFD). These learnings will be instrumental in the development of Overture, Boom’s sustainable supersonic airliner designed for twice the speed of current airliners and optimized for 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).
Boom Supersonic’s achievements in advancing flight preparations for XB-1 are a testament to their dedication to transforming air travel. With the completion of key milestones and the imminent historic first flight, Boom Supersonic is one step closer to making supersonic travel mainstream, revolutionizing the aviation industry, and paving the way for sustainable and efficient air transportation with Overture.
Read more about the XB-1 Here: https://boomsupersonic.com/flyby/boom-supersonic-advances-flight-preparations-for-xb-1
Connect with Boom Supersonic on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube
SOURCE Boom Supersonic
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