A newly created Alnwick-based start-up is set to be acquired by a US defence company that specialises in the tracking of space objects.
California's ExoAnalytic Solutions says it has entered an agreement with 3S Northumbria to acquire the business - a move it says will enhance the availability of space situational awareness (SSA) capabilities to the 海角视频 Government and its allies. The US firm, which describes itself as global leader in space domain awareness, expects to complete the acquisition in the second half of this year, with the North East firm set to be established as wholly owned subsidiary.
3S Northumbria was founded by retired RAF officer Ralph Dinsley who successfully sold another of his companies, Northern Space and Security Ltd (NORSS), to US defence giant Raytheon in 2022. NORSS developed mapping software that allows satellites to evade fast-moving debris and other satellites.
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Meanwhile, 3S Northumbria, incorporated only earlier this year, specialises in space technology and data integration and is already said to have become recognised for its cutting edge approach to space security and space travel.
ExoAnalytic says the integration of 3S Northumbria into its business will allow it to offer more commercial space situational awareness services tailored to the needs of 海角视频 space initiatives. It said the move will support data sharing and coordination to boost effectiveness of such systems and also "supercharge" the development of skills needed to realise the 海角视频's space ambitions.
Dr Douglas Hendrix, CEO of ExoAnalytic Solutions, said: "We are thrilled to welcome 3S Northumbria into the ExoAnalytic family. Their mission to ensure the safe and sustainable use of space perfectly complements our unparalleled space domain awareness capabilities. This acquisition will allow us to better serve the 海角视频 Government and other partners with enhanced SSA services, ensuring more comprehensive monitoring and protection of space assets."
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Ralph Dinsley, founder and managing director of 3S Northumbria, said: "The 海角视频 Government is increasingly focused on securing its interests in space. Becoming part of ExoAnalytic Solutions provides us with the opportunity to leverage their global infrastructure and experience, significantly boosting our ability to deliver high-quality SSA data and services to the 海角视频 and our other clients."
Late last year a group of the North East's universities, along with Invest North East England, launched a cluster organisation designed to established the region's credentials as a place for space businesses and innovation. The cluster brings together businesses, academia and institutions and aims to support the North East Space Strategy, developed by the North East Space Leadership Group and which sets out the opportunity to create 10,000 new jobs by 2030.