Quantum Research International and Adcole Maryland Aerospace Announces Successful Launch of Kestrel Eye Block II Satellite

The successful launch of the Kestrel Eye satellite is a major milestone for these two companies as well as the US Army Space and Missile Defense Command (USASMDC) / Army Forces Strategic Command (ARSTRAT) and the DOD space enterprise as a whole. Developed under Quantum's prime contract, Concepts and Operations for Space and Missile Defense Integration and Capabilities (COSMIC) Task Order 1407, this class of small, inexpensive, and yet highly capable satellite is expected to make space cheaper and more accessible while simultaneously enhancing resiliency and flexibility in future space architectures.

"Completion of Kestrel Eye was a team effort working with USASMDC/ARSTRAT and Maryland Aerospace over multiple task orders under our COSMIC contract.  With the launch complete, we now look forward to the successful deployment into orbit," said Frank Pitts, Quantum President and CEO.

"Kestrel Eye has come a long way since our first briefing to DARPA several years ago," said Steve Fujikawa, Chief Technology Officer of AMA. Steve Fujikawa and George Sebestyen of Maryland Aerospace originally conceived of Kestrel Eye and won support for a DARPA study. The program later transitioned from DARPA to USASMDC.

"Kestrel Eye Block II is consistent with the evolving Space Enterprise Vision, a major initiative to incorporate low-cost micro and nanosatellites into our national space infrastructure to enhance affordability, resiliency, and technology refresh," said Glen Cameron, President of AMA.

Kestrel Eye Block II is designed to meet the increasing demand for enhanced space capability in times of limited budgets. The superior affordability of end-to-end microsatellite space solutions, from idea to orbit, will help both government agencies and private industry realize their mission goals in an accelerated timeframe at a fraction of the cost of traditional space systems.

About Quantum

Quantum, headquartered in Huntsville, AL, is a leader in providing engineering, analysis, integration and cybersecurity and information technology services and solutions to the Departments of Defense, Justice, Homeland Security, and industry customers. More information about the company is available at www.quantum-intl.com

About Adcole Maryland Aerospace

Adcole Maryland Aerospace is a new company formed in April through the merger of Maryland Aerospace, Inc. (MAI) and Adcole Corporation's aerospace division. MAI has long been a leading provider of Small Satellite and CubeSat components as well as end-to-end space systems. Adcole Corporation, now in its 60^th year, has been the trusted supplier of rad-hard hi-rel sun sensors for hundreds of LEO, GEO, and interplanetary space missions.    

Contact: Dan Harkins, 508-919-5681, [email protected]

SOURCE Adcole Maryland Aerospace (AMA)