Blackstar Orbital, a homegrown aerospace firm, has secured a significant $1.9 million contract from the U.S. Space Force’s innovation arm, SpaceWERX.

The Titusville-based company was named one of ten companies to receive the award as part of the “Sustained Space Maneuver” (SSM) Challenge, placing it at the forefront of developing next-generation space technology.

The contract is a Direct to Phase II Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) award focused on advancing technologies that will allow satellites to maneuver more freely and strategically in orbit.

According to SpaceWERX, this capability is a critical advantage for the United States Space Force (USSF) for satellite survivability and national deterrence. Over the 15-month contract period, Blackstar Orbital will work towards developing a prototype that demonstrates sustained maneuverability in space

This award marks the second major announcement from SpaceWERX for the company in the past year. In June of 2024, Blackstar Orbital was awarded an initial Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant to study the applications of its proprietary reusable “spaceplane” platform.

The back-to-back contracts highlight a period of significant growth for the company. In March, Blackstar Orbital announced a major expansion with a new research and manufacturing facility in Sierra Vista, Arizona. This national growth is balanced by a deepening of its local roots; a successful seed funding round announced in May 2024 led to the opening of a new corporate office in downtown Titusville.

Blackstar Orbital’s core technology is a hypersonic, reusable satellite that launches like a traditional payload but can land on a runway like a spaceplane. This design is intended to offer greater flexibility, reusability, and mission longevity compared to conventional disposable satellites.

The company is also partnered with Phantom Space Corporation for a series of launches of its “Blackstar BX100” spaceplane from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, with the first launch anticipated in late 2025.

This latest $1.9 million contract underscores the confidence the U.S. Space Force has in the innovative capabilities being developed right here in Titusville. As Blackstar Orbital continues to expand its operations and technology, it remains a key player in the evolving landscape of the Space Coast’s aerospace industry.