Slingshot Aerospace has acquired the UChicago spinout developing a communication channel for preventing satellite collisions in space.
Stellatus Solutions, a US-based satellite communications platform developer spun out of University of Chicago (UChicago), has been acquired by space simulation and analytics technology provider Slingshot Aerospace for an undisclosed amount.
The acquisition took place in June 2021, but was only disclosed this month.
Stellatus had been developing a communications channel for satellite operators to alert each other of potential collisions in space and security concerns.
Stellatus was formed through the Hacking for Defense Program, a cross-disciplinary university course sponsored by the US Department of Defense.
Slingshot has bought the company’s research and intellectual property to support the launch of its Slingshot Beacon product, a collision avoidance, collaboration and communications platform for the space industry.
The Slingshot Beacon platform is set to be piloted by satellite operators including OneWeb, Spire Global and Orbit Fab.
As part of the deal, Stellatus’ co-founders Holly Highfill and Kishen Raghunath will join Slingshot as a director of customer engagement and strategy and director of finance and strategy, respectively.
