RS21 Goes to Space
Hyperspace Challenge Seeks Secure, Autonomous Tech Solutions for Space
RS21 announced today that it has been accepted into the 2020 cohort for Hyperspace Challenge, a business accelerator run by the Air Force Research Laboratory and CNM Ingenuity for the U.S. Space Force.
The goal of Hyperspace Challenge is to accelerate collaboration and partnership between the U.S. government and the startup community in order to drive innovation in space.
This year’s cohort theme, Trusted Autonomy, has brought together startups that can provide the government and participating military agencies with secure, trustworthy autonomous and automated solutions for space.
“Being accepted into Hyperspace Challenge is an exciting growth opportunity for RS21 and demonstrates the growing strength of the autonomous tech sector in New Mexico,” said Charles Rath, President and CEO of RS21. “Space is the final frontier, and we are eager to work with government scientists to employ state-of-the-art machine learning for improved satellite maintenance.”
RS21 is a data science company that uses artificial intelligence, design, and modern software development methods to empower organizations to make data-driven decisions that positively impact the world. RS21’s proposed solution for Hyperspace Challenge’s problem statement seeks to build upon predictive medicine and apply artificial intelligence and machine learning methods to space operations.
Hyperspace Challenge pairs startups with government contractors, working across a wide range of government agencies, such as the U.S. Air Force, the U.S. Army and NASA, so cohort participants have the opportunity not only to learn how to navigate the government contracting process, but to build more relationships within the government ecosystem. Since the program was launched in 2018, almost 70 percent of participating companies have received government contracts worth over a combined $7 million in revenue.
“The national space community collectively recognizes that the industry could be truly transformed with the growing use of spacecraft capable of automatically handling complex tasks. But complex tasks require complex mechanisms to complete them,” said Captain Roger Anderson, Deputy Program Director for U.S. Space Force Accelerator Programs. “This year’s cohort will be critical in the effort to determine if autonomous technology is truly up to the task.”
Cohort participants will spend the next two months learning how to do business with the federal government and will work with participating government customers to develop proposals. These companies will participate in virtual customer discovery sessions with government scientists and compete for cash prizes via a live pitch event at the Space Startup Summit on December 3.
About Hyperspace Challenge
Hyperspace Challenge was created in 2018 by the U.S. Air Force and CNM Ingenuity to accelerate partnerships between the government and startups and shift space innovation into hyperdrive. The accelerator, which is now directed by CNM Ingenuity in conjunction with the new U.S. Space Force, runs annually and cultivates networks in an innovation ecosystem prioritizing connection and community over bureaucracy. To date, the accelerator has supported 24 small businesses and startup companies from across the U.S. and Canada. For more information visit hyperspacechallenge.com.
About RS21
RS21 is a rapidly growing, global data science company that uses artificial intelligence, design, and modern software development methods to empower organizations to make data-driven decisions that positively impact the world. Our innovative solutions are insightful, intuitive, inspiring, and intellectually honest. With offices in Albuquerque, NM and Washington, DC, RS21 is a 2020 Inc. 500 fastest-growing company and a Fast Company Best Workplace for Innovators.
We help clients achieve programmatic goals, improve efficiencies, reduce costs, and maximize productivity using MOTHR, our human-centered, artificial intelligence-driven platform that allows users to seamlessly integrate data and reveal insights at hyper speed. We navigate complex data issues in the fields of healthcare, population health, infrastructure resilience, disaster preparedness, supply chain management, community safety, and security and cybersecurity. For more information, visit http://www.rs21.io.
