AI Makes Subcontractor Recommendation for New Satellite Build
Components to be Supplied by GomSpace North America
Proteus Space has awarded a contract valued at more than $250,000 to GomSpace North America to provide critical components and related expertise to support its ESPA satellite design.
"The AI-enabled capabilities of MERCURY automated custom satellite bus design system allow it to autonomously select components from our proprietary database."
David Kervin, Proteus Space
Proteus Space specializes in rapid space system design, assembly, and deployment, driven by their AI-enabled custom satellite bus design platform, MERCURY. As part of the bid process, the platform autonomously evaluated offerings from multiple aerospace vendors and selected GomSpace as a key supplier for their first mission. The process searched for the best fit across a combination of parameters including component flight heritage, proven track record of success, technical fit, and product reliability.
The MERCURY platform is projected to set a new world record for the fastest design, assembly, integration and test of an ESPA class satellite, completing the entire blank-page-to-launchpad delivered payload tailored custom bus process within 10 months. Further, this ESPA mission will deploy the world's first ever AI-designed satellite.
"The AI-enabled capabilities of MERCURY automated custom satellite bus design system allow it to autonomously select components from our proprietary database based on TRL level, lead times, cost, performance specifications and more," said David Kervin, CEO and co-founder of Proteus Space, and continued: "GomSpace's flight heritage, leading-edge technology, and exceptional customer support made them a standout choice for our mission. Their commitment to quality and product reliability will ensure the success of our groundbreaking ESPA class mission."
GomSpace's role in the project includes providing essential components for the satellite's core systems and advice to optimize performance and integration.
"To have been selected by the world's first high-fidelity, physics-based, AI-enabled, automated satellite design platform, "MERCURY" - which independently identifies the best suppliers based on strict performance criteria - validates our commitment to quality and continued investment in technology and customer success," said Frank Tobin, President and CEO of GomSpace North America.
The mission, scheduled for launch in October 2025, is also carrying four payloads from government research partners and the UC Davis Center for Spaceflight Research, highlighting the strategic importance of this collaboration between Proteus and GomSpace for future military and commercial satellite missions.