Rogue Space Systems and University of Utah Win Space Force Funding

    LACONIA, NH, June 03, 2022 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Rogue Space Systems, a New Hampshire company who is developing orbital robots (Orbots™) for satellite servicing, has partnered with the University of Utah's Robotics Center to apply the research of Professors Jake Abbott and Tucker Hermans on manipulation of non-ferrous objects using magnetic eddy currents. The use of this Omnimagnet technology is going to be particularly beneficial when trying to interact with an object that is tumbling out-of-control as the Rogue Orbot™ will be able to detumble it safely without contact. Rogue and Professor Abbott have also submitted two Small Business Technology Transfers (STTR) together based on this technology; both were selected for funding by the U.S. Space Force.

This partnership comes after the release of a paper that Jake Abbott was part of titled "Dexterous magnetic manipulation of conductive non-magnetic objects" in the scientific journal Nature in October of 2021. Objects injected into orbit are not always made of ferrous/magnetic materials; most contain primarily aluminum, so the ability to interact with non-magnetic materials using magnetics is revolutionary.

The use of this technology will have great impact on being able to control an object so that it can safely be touched, fixed, moved to another orbit, or deorbited. Assets that are out of control pose a high risk of colliding with other objects in space and creating more space debris; Rogue hopes to use this method of interaction to help operate in space in a safer manner and mitigate the creation of more "space junk."

"Within hours of reading the Nature article, I was fortunate to have made contact with Dr. Abbott, and was able to meet with him. Rogue is humbled that he's chosen to work with us to develop his technology and methods for space applications," says Jeromy Grimmett, Rogue's CEO. Thanks to SpaceWERX, Rogue is partnering with University of Utah and Dr. Abbott to get this incredible technology into the space market. This capability is key to removing space debris in the safest and most sustainable way possible. It's thought leaders like Dr. Abbott and his team at University of Utah that will help accelerate the space industry.

Dr. Abbott feels equally fortunate to have teamed with Rogue: "When Jeromy showed me Rogue's vision of their Orbots™ equipped with our Omnimagnets, it was like my sci-fi fantasies were coming to life. It's amazing to think that Rogue will be able to put the research results from my lab into practical use in space so quickly. My team and I are looking forward to working with Rogue to continue to advance our capabilities, and we're grateful for the financial support of U.S. Space Force."

About Rogue Space Systems Corporation
Rogue Space Systems Corporation is a Laconia, New Hampshire-based company that designs satellite vehicles and subsystems to provide on-orbit services to satellite operators. Founded in 2020, the Rogue team is building a fleet of Orbital Robots (Orbots™) that will perform a variety of services for orbital assets in LEO, MEO, and GEO including inspection, maintenance, repair, transport and more. The fleet is supported by a first of its kind AI-enabled sensory observation platform.

For more information, visit: www.rogue.space.

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