Free Space Acquisition Announced by Scout Space
Free Space Acquisition Announced by Scout Space
Move Intended to Strengthen Defense and Technical Capabilities
Scout Space has acquired Free Space in a move the company says will strengthen its defense and technical capabilities, and broaden the inroads Scout has built with the U.S. Department of Defense, intelligence community, and civil government.
"This acquisition uniquely positions Scout to respond immediately to our government customers’ needs." Eric Ingram, Scout Space
Free Space was founded in January 2022 by Gil Valdes and Vin Bisceglia to build new space domain awareness and space security solutions for the U.S. Government, its allies, and aligned commercial satellite operators. During their six years working in the space industry, they recognized that the space domain was rapidly becoming a less permissive and more contested environment in which critical satellite constellations were regularly under threat from hostile actors. Because of these growing threats, they founded Free Space – joined by a team of scrappy engineers and advisors – to ensure all aligned spacecraft could operate, navigate, and communicate freely.
The Free Space team developed the Guardian Satellite and Trellis satellite autonomy software concepts, which will eventually serve as critical new space security infrastructure. Since the Company’s inception, Free Space secured over $1.5 million of U.S. Space Force contracts to develop this technology, with strong backing from critical U.S. Government agencies.
“This acquisition is the result of Scout’s business plan to strengthen the company by expanding our defense and technical capabilities with strategic acquisitions,” said Eric Ingram, CEO of Scout Space. “With a high market demand for our on-orbit services and mission augmentation capabilities, this acquisition uniquely positions Scout to respond immediately to our government customers’ needs. We look forward to welcoming this team into our incredible Scout family!”
Vin Bisceglia, previously the Executive Chairman of Free Space, has taken on the role of Vice President of Growth at Scout. “Today, we embark on a new chapter together that will shape the future of space domain awareness and advanced satellite technology to another level," Bisceglia said. "As we combine our expertise, resources and visionary spirit, we are poised to accelerate disruptive new solutions that will usher in a new era of vision-based autonomy and SDA solutions. We are looking forward to expanding this amazing frontier together.”
Gil Valdes, previously the Chief Executive Officer of Free Space, has taken on the role of Vice President of Government Programs at Scout. “Through this business combination, we bring the grit, talent, and capital needed to deliver the space security infrastructure that our military, civil, and commercial space customers require, and on a much more rapid timeline," Valdes said. "Vin and I look forward to working with Scout’s founders, Eric and Sergio, and their stellar team to build the go-to space security and safety company at Scout.”