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U.S. Defense Innovation Unit

US
gov defenseFounded 2015
United States
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All verified mentions of this organization in source documents.

The three DIU-funded projects were awarded to Blue Origin, Northrop Grumman, and Spacebilt.

Mentioned as: U.S. Defense Innovation UnitNarrative GeneralMar 20, 2024Defense Innovation Unit awards three contracts for space logistics technologies

The Defense Innovation Unit was established in 2015 to act as a bridge between the Department of Defense and the commercial technology sector.

Mentioned as: U.S. Defense Innovation UnitNarrative GeneralMar 19, 2024Pentagon’s innovation unit steps up role in Space Force’s responsive launch program

The Defense Innovation Unit is helping the Space Force establish a process to work with industry and forge agreements with companies for responsive missions.

Mentioned as: Defense Innovation UnitOrg RelationshipMar 19, 2024Pentagon’s innovation unit steps up role in Space Force’s responsive launch program

The Defense Innovation Unit is working with the Space Force’s Space Safari office to identify and select commercial providers for a responsive mission named Victus Haze.

Mentioned as: Defense Innovation UnitOrg RelationshipMar 19, 2024Pentagon’s innovation unit steps up role in Space Force’s responsive launch program

COMSO is working with the Defense Innovation Unit and PEOs to use STRATFI funding to take companies to the next level.

Mentioned as: U.S. Defense Innovation UnitNarrative GeneralMar 11, 2024Buy Before Build: SSC’s Commercial Space Office seeks to disrupt business as usual

The Defense Innovation Unit partnered with the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center's Weather Systems Branch to develop ground, air, and space-based prototypes for global weather sensing.

Mentioned as: Defense Innovation UnitOrg RelationshipMar 7, 2024Muon Space Confirms Successful Deployment and Operational Status of Weather Satellite

Muon Space was one of five companies selected by the Defense Innovation Unit in October 2022 to demonstrate new approaches to addressing Space-based Environmental Monitoring gaps.

Mentioned as: Defense Innovation UnitTechnical ProductMar 7, 2024Muon Space Confirms Successful Deployment and Operational Status of Weather Satellite

Since emerging from stealth, Aalyria has received awards from and developed partnerships with the Defense Innovation Unit, the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, Comtech, the European Space Agency, Telesat, Intelsat, Airbus, and Rivada Space.

Mentioned as: Defense Innovation UnitTechnical ProductFeb 13, 2024Aalyria, U.S. Government and Others Conduct Tech Demonstration of Hybrid Space Architecture

Aalyria is working under an $8,700,000 contract from the Defense Innovation Unit to implement its Spacetime software in support of a hybrid space architecture.

Mentioned as: U.S. Defense Innovation UnitOrg RelationshipFeb 12, 2024Space startup Aalyria demonstrates satellite mesh network

The Defense Innovation Unit started the hybrid network project in 2022 to help provide global communications regardless of terrestrial infrastructure limitations or disruptions.

Mentioned as: U.S. Defense Innovation UnitNarrative GeneralFeb 12, 2024Space startup Aalyria demonstrates satellite mesh network

The Defense Innovation Unit's status was elevated in 2024 to help the Pentagon gain more rapid access to commercial companies with promising technologies.

Mentioned as: U.S. Defense Innovation UnitNarrative GeneralFeb 12, 2024Space Force seen as the more agile branch to adopt new tech

The 2023-12-07 demonstration at the Naval Research Laboratory was funded by the Defense Innovation Unit as part of a larger effort to create a multi-layered satellite architecture of different vendors and orbits.

Mentioned as: defense innovation unitTechnical ProductFeb 12, 2024Space startup Aalyria demonstrates satellite mesh network

L3Harris conducted its first demonstration of an electronic phased array ground antenna in 2021 under a Defense Innovation Unit contract focused on improving satellite communications for the U.S. Space Force.

Mentioned as: U.S. Defense Innovation UnitNarrative GeneralFeb 9, 2024L3Harris demonstrates digital phased array antenna system

Northrop Grumman is collaborating with the Space Systems Command (SSC), the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), and other customers to develop in-space refueling technologies for U.S. space-based assets.

Mentioned as: Defense Innovation UnitOrg RelationshipFeb 7, 2024Northrop Grumman satellite-refueling tech selected as primary refueling solution interface standard for SSC

Northrop Grumman is collaborating with the Space Systems Command (SSC), the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), and other customers to develop in-space refueling technologies for U.S. space-based assets.

Mentioned as: Defense Innovation UnitOrg RelationshipFeb 1, 2024Space Systems Command selects Northrop Grumman’s satellite-refueling technology as first preferred refueling solutions for all SSC’s sats

Northrop Grumman is collaborating with Space Systems Command, Defense Innovation Unit, and other customers to develop in-space refueling technologies for U.S. space-based assets.

Mentioned as: Defense Innovation UnitOrg RelationshipJan 31, 2024Northrop Grumman Refueling Technology Selected as Preferred Solution for SSC's Satellites

Muon Space received additional funding as an option to its contract with the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center’s Weather Systems Branch and the Defense Innovation Unit to collect ionospheric data on the MuSat-2 satellite mission.

Mentioned as: Defense Innovation UnitTechnical ProductJan 17, 2024Muon Space selected by AFWERX for SBIR Phase I Contract

Orbit Fab received a $13,300,000 contract from the Pentagon’s Defense Innovation Unit to partly fund its hydrazine fueling station.

Mentioned as: U.S. Defense Innovation UnitOrg RelationshipJan 17, 2024Astroscale reveals concept of operations for its in-orbit refueling vehicle

In 2022, Muon Space received a $2,800,000 contract from the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center Weather Systems Branch and the Defense Innovation Unit to deliver terrestrial weather products to the Air Force 557th Weather Wing.

Mentioned as: U.S. Defense Innovation UnitOrg RelationshipJan 9, 2024Muon Space tapped by Air Force for cloud characterization from space

Red Cat Holdings, Inc. has announced that its subsidiary, Teal Drones, has been selected by the Department of Defense’s Defense Innovation Unit and the U.S. Army as one of two finalists in the Short Range Reconnaissance Tranche 2 Program of Record.

Mentioned as: U.S. Defense Innovation UnitNarrative GeneralDec 17, 2023U.S. Army selects Red Cat Holdings as finalist for short range ISR Tranche 2 drone Program
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