What Quantum Space does

Quantum Space, LLC is a privately held U.S. space infrastructure company headquartered in Rockville, Maryland, that designs, manufactures, and operates the Ranger maneuverable spacecraft platform for U.S. national security and civil space customers. The company operates engineering, propulsion integration, and manufacturing facilities in Rockville, MD; Hawthorne, CA (adjacent to Space Systems Command); Huntsville, AL (Redstone Arsenal); and Tulsa, OK (coming online Q1 2027). Quantum Space is preparing to go public through a SPAC business combination with Inflection Point Acquisition Corp. VI (Nasdaq: IPFX) at a post-transaction equity value of approximately $1.2 billion, with closing expected in Q4 2026 and listing planned on Nasdaq under the ticker QSPC.

The Ranger spacecraft is the company's core product and unifying platform architecture. It is a maneuver-first, multi-orbit vehicle featuring single-fuel, multi-mode propulsion that pairs chemical high-thrust and electric high-efficiency modes in a single thruster, 4,000+ kg of storable fuel, up to 12 km/s delta-V, a refuelable architecture with five modular payload ports, and a stated 15-year on-station life. Ranger is designed to operate autonomously across LEO, MEO, GEO, and cislunar orbits and is protected by a portfolio of 17 issued, pending, and filed patents. Mission-configurable service offerings built on the Ranger architecture include life extension services for geostationary satellite operators, a Ranger-based fuel depot for on-orbit refueling, and on-demand disposal assistance aligned with the Space Development Agency's Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture. Ranger Prime is the first Ranger flight mission, targeting launch no earlier than Q2 2027.

Quantum Space's revenue model is anchored by direct U.S. government contract awards, task orders under IDIQ vehicles, and study contracts with the U.S. Space Force, Department of War, DARPA, Air Force Research Laboratory, Space Development Agency, and NASA. Notable selections include the $6.2 billion Space Force Andromeda IDIQ vehicle (10-year ceiling across 14 awardees), a Department of War OECIF on-orbit refueling contract, a DARPA LASSO cislunar study, an Air Force Research Laboratory maneuverable spacecraft contract, and a NASA Mars Sample Return rapid development study (up to $1.5M). The company also generates revenue through the Orbit Systems joint venture (with Astro Digital) under a U.S. Space Force STEP-2.0 contract. Forecast revenue is $23.6 million in 2026 and $60.6 million in 2027, against projected cash burn of $69.4 million and $97.6 million respectively. The company is led by former NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine (CEO), co-founder Kam Ghaffarian (Executive Chairman), co-founder Kerry Wisnosky (President), and co-founder Ben Reed (COO).

Name

Quantum Space

Legal name

Quantum Space, LLC

Website

https://quantumspace.us

Company type

Private

Founded year

2024

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Quantum Space builds the Ranger maneuverable spacecraft platform for U.S. national security and civil agencies. The company generates revenue through direct government contracts with the Space Force, Department of War, DARPA, SDA, AFRL, and NASA, spanning GEO, cislunar, and on-orbit refueling missions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Space Defense Spacecraft

NAICS

Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing (336414), Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Propulsion Unit and Propulsion Unit Parts Manufacturing (336415), Other Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing (336419)

SIC

Guided Missiles & Space Vehicles & Parts (3760)

akta.pro primary industry

Space Logistics & In-Orbit Servicing (Refueling, Tug, Debris Removal) (IMABACAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Spacecraft Propulsion (In-Space) & Thrusters (IMABACAE), Spacecraft & Satellites (Civil/Commercial) (IMABACAB), Military Space Systems (Defense Spacecraft) (IMABACAC)

Keywords

• Maneuverable spacecraft platform
• Space domain awareness
• On-orbit refueling services
• Satellite life extension
• Defense space systems

Headquarters

HQ city

Rockville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Government contract awards (national security): Primary revenue stream: fixed-price and cost-style contracts, plus IDIQ vehicle positions (e.g., Space Force's $6.2B Andromeda) with the U.S. Space Force, Department of War, DARPA, Air Force Research Laboratory, and Space Development Agency. Quantum Space holds six contracts and pending proposals and projects $24M revenue in 2026 and $61M in 2027.
2. On-orbit life extension / satellite servicing: Commercial offering using Ranger to deliver life extension services (3–5 years additional operational life), orbital adjustment, and refueling to existing geostationary-orbit satellite operators, including on-demand disposal assistance for the Space Development Agency.
3. On-orbit refueling and fuel depot services: Future recurring revenue from operating Ranger-based fuel depots that perform in-space propellant transfer, extending satellite operational lifetimes and enabling persistent maneuver for national security and commercial customers.
4. Spacecraft sales (Ranger platform) and mission-configured variants: Ranger is sold as a standardized platform with mission-specific configurations for defense and commercial customers; expected production ramp to one Ranger per quarter by end of 2028 in the new Tulsa facility.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Core offering

Quantum Space designs, manufactures, and operates the Ranger maneuverable spacecraft platform — a single-fuel, multi-mode propulsion vehicle with 4,000+ kg of storable fuel, refuelable and modular architecture, 12 km/s max delta-V, and a 15-year on-station life capable of operating across LEO, MEO, GEO, and cislunar orbits. On top of the Ranger platform, the company delivers on-orbit services including satellite life extension (adding 3–5 years of operational life), on-orbit refueling/fuel depot operations, and defense space domain awareness missions sold via government contracts and IDIQ vehicle awards.

Product overview

Quantum Space operates a single unified maneuverable spacecraft platform architecture — the Ranger platform — which serves as the foundation for multiple mission-configurable variants, services, and first-flight demonstrations rather than a portfolio of independent products. The core Ranger spacecraft (protected by 17 patents) is a single-fuel, multi-mode propulsion vehicle with more than 4,000 kg of storable fuel capacity, a refuelable and modular architecture, up to 15-year operational life, and the ability to operate across LEO, MEO, GEO, and cislunar orbits. On top of this platform the company offers service offerings such as Ranger Life Extension Services for geostationary satellite operators and a Ranger-based Fuel Depot Spacecraft for on-orbit refueling. Ranger Prime is the first flight mission validating the platform (targeted for Q2 2027 launch), while the previously flown Sentry (QS-1) Scout satellite provided initial flight heritage. Acquired Phase Four multi-mode propulsion technology is integrated as a Ranger sub-system module, and the company has a joint venture (Orbit Systems, with Astro Digital) that delivers flexible spacecraft platforms under U.S. Space Force contracts.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Ranger: Quantum Space's flagship maneuverable spacecraft platform; multi-mode propulsion, 4,000+ kg storable fuel, refuelable, modular architecture, up to 15-year operational life; operates across LEO, MEO, GEO, and cislunar orbits.
• Ranger Prime
• Sentry (QS-1)

Products and services

• Ranger Spacecraft Platform Flagship maneuverable spacecraft platform engineered for multi-orbit operations (LEO, MEO, GEO, cislunar). Features single-fuel multi-mode propulsion, 4,000+ kg storable fuel, refuelable and modular architecture, 12 km/s max delta-V, and up to 15 years of operational life. Sold to defense and government customers for space domain awareness, payload hosting, satellite servicing, on-orbit refueling, and defense missions; protected by 17 patents.
• Ranger Prime Satellite First flight mission of the Ranger platform, featuring multi-mode propulsion, pump-based systems, and in-space refueling capability; will validate on-orbit performance, payload hosting, data collection, maneuvering, and rendezvous and proximity operations. Targeted for launch no earlier than Q2 2027.
• Ranger Life Extension Services On-orbit servicing offering launched March 2025 using the Ranger spacecraft to add three to five years of operational life to existing satellites in geostationary orbit, including mission extension, orbital adjustment, and refueling services. Offered to GEO satellite operators and national security customers.
• Ranger Fuel Depot Spacecraft Fuel depot architecture built on the Ranger platform to enable routine in-space refueling of satellites, extend spacecraft operational lifetimes, and provide on-orbit logistics capabilities for U.S. national security space operations. Developed under a Department of War OECIF contract with delivery expected by 2028.
• Sentry (QS-1) Scout Satellite Quantum Space's inaugural Scout satellite mission launched May 2024 to collect space domain awareness data and validate foundational on-orbit capabilities; mission experienced a power-system anomaly during commissioning but provided initial flight heritage.

Quantifiable outcome

• Up to 70% lower cost than conventional architectures beyond LEO (management estimate)
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered flagship and core.

• Inflection Point Acquisition Corp. VIflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 June 2026Definitive business combination agreement under which Quantum Space will merge with the SPAC and list on Nasdaq under ticker QSPC in Q4 2026. Post-transaction equity value ~$1.2B; pre-money equity value $600M; $300M convertible PIPE at $12/share; ~$253M in trust (assuming no redemptions); existing Quantum Space equity holders retain ~50% of the pro forma company.
• White & Case LLPcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 8 June 2026White & Case LLP is serving as legal advisor to Inflection Point Acquisition Corp. VI for the proposed business combination with Quantum Space.
• Reed Smith LLPcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 8 June 2026Reed Smith LLP is serving as legal advisor to Quantum Space for the proposed business combination with Inflection Point Acquisition Corp. VI.
• DLA Piper LLP (US)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 8 June 2026DLA Piper LLP (US) is serving as legal counsel to Cantor and Moelis & Company LLC in connection with the SPAC business combination between Quantum Space and Inflection Point Acquisition Corp. VI.
• Astro Digital (Orbit Systems JV)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 May 2026Joint venture (Orbit Systems) awarded a U.S. Space Force STEP-2.0 contract to deliver flexible platforms and rapid access to space tailored to evolving national defense demands. Combines Quantum Space and Astro Digital capabilities to support the Space Force's accelerated deployment and experimentation of space technologies.
• Phase FourflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 September 2025Quantum Space acquired Phase Four's multi-mode propulsion assets and a Los Angeles integration and test facility, adding single-fuel chemical+electric propulsion capability to the Ranger platform. Phase Four's RF thruster technology enables Ranger to operate in both high-thrust and high-efficiency modes using a single propellant.
• MaxarcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 September 2024Collaborating with Quantum Space and Scout Space under a Space Development Agency contract to assess the feasibility of Ranger-enabled affordable, on-demand assisted deorbit and commercial disposal services as part of SDA's Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture.
• Scout SpacecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 September 2024Collaborating with Quantum Space and Maxar under a Space Development Agency contract to assess Ranger-enabled on-demand commercial disposal assistance within SDA's Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture.
• Heliospace CorporationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 June 2024Partnered with Quantum Space, the University of Arizona, and Jim Watzin on a NASA-selected Mars Sample Return rapid development study (90-day firm-fixed-price contract up to $1.5M) to design more affordable and faster methods of returning Martian samples to Earth.
• University of ArizonacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 June 2024Academic partner with Quantum Space, Heliospace Corporation, and Jim Watzin on NASA's Mars Sample Return rapid development study, contributing research expertise to a 90-day Mars sample return architecture study.
• Jim WatzincoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 June 2024Former NASA Mars program leader collaborating with Quantum Space, Heliospace Corporation, and the University of Arizona on a NASA Mars Sample Return rapid development study.

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights8 records

Broad incumbents

• Northrop Grumman: Operates the Mission Extension Vehicle (MEV) satellite servicing business and is a top-tier U.S. national security space prime; comparable to Quantum as an in-space servicing and GEO maneuver provider with established DoD and commercial GEO relationships.
• Rocket Lab: Vertically integrated space company with launch and Space Systems (spacecraft) divisions serving U.S. national security and commercial constellations; comparable as a broader spacecraft manufacturing incumbent with growing national security footprint.
• Lockheed Martin: Top-tier defense prime with a large space division across military spacecraft, GEO satellites, and classified national security space programs; comparable as a deep-pocketed incumbent competitor across every Quantum Space customer set.

Direct peers

• Astroscale: Commercial on-orbit servicing company offering life extension, refueling and debris removal; directly comparable to Quantum's Ranger life-extension and SDA disposal-assistance offerings across LEO and GEO.
• Momentus: Space tug and in-space transportation provider focused on satellite last-mile delivery and orbital transfer; comparable to Quantum in the orbital mobility category, though Momentus emphasizes transport vehicles rather than a multi-orbit maneuverable bus.
• Orbit Fab: On-orbit refueling depot and propellant delivery startup building the in-space fuel supply chain; directly comparable to Quantum's Ranger-based fuel depot architecture and OECIF on-orbit refueling contract.
• D-Orbit: Italian space logistics company operating in-orbit transfer vehicles and satellite deployment services; comparable as an emerging on-orbit servicing and last-mile delivery peer in the space mobility category.

Emerging players

• Intuitive Machines: Public space company co-founded by Kam Ghaffarian (also Quantum's Executive Chairman) focused on lunar access and cislunar services; comparable as a sister venture sharing leadership, capital network, and government customer relationships with Quantum Space.
• York Space Systems: Satellite bus manufacturer supplying standardized spacecraft to SDA and other DoD programs; comparable as a small-satellite platform competitor competing for proliferated LEO/MEO constellation awards.
• Apex Space: Standardized satellite bus manufacturer targeting national security and commercial constellation customers; comparable as a small/midsatellite bus peer competing for the same SDA and commercial constellation task orders.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/quantumspace_us
• Facebookfacebook.com/quantumspaceus

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds6 records

Investors6 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Quantum Space