R2 Space Inc., an Ann Abor-based space intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance provider, announced April 20 it has won a contract by the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) that it says will accelerate the company’s RADAR satellite technology capable of imaging the earth during the day, at night, and through the clouds.
DIU’s mission is to discover the nation’s most innovative commercial technologies for use by the Department of Defense.
“R2 Space is excited to bring this contract to the state of Michigan,” says Reuben Sorensen, co-founder and CEO of R2 Space. “Michigan brings unmatched depth in high-tech manufacturing. We will use this contract to showcase how America’s trusted foundry can deliver affordable and reliable satellite technology needed to help DoD address critical national security challenges.”
In late 2019, the Michigan Economic Development Corp. and Ann Arbor SPARK worked with R2 Space to establish the company’s headquarters in Ann Arbor. One of the area’s first companies in the space industry, R2 Space opened its offices in the Argus Building, where they constructed a clean room to support satellite integration and testing. The company made a commitment to the state of Michigan to create more than 30 new jobs over the next two years. So far, it has hired 18 people with plans to hire 20 more.
“Ann Arbor SPARK has worked with the company since it chose to locate here and continues to support its growth as it adds new people to its team,” says Paul Krutko, president and CEO of Ann Arbor SPARK. “The Ann Arbor region is the ideal location for high-tech companies that need a world-class engineering and manufacturing talent pool to fuel their success.”
“R2 Space is not only devoted to our current employees in this difficult time,” says Sorensen. “We are looking to grow our family. I’m proud to come home and build this company in a state defined by perseverance. COVID-19 will not slow down the R2 Team.”
