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Blue Skies Space: Pioneering the Commercialization of Astronomical Data

Monday 12 August 2024 - 07:35

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In a groundbreaking move, UK-based start-up Blue Skies Space is set to transform the way scientists access astronomical data. By leveraging their unique satellites, the company plans to collect and sell scientific data as a service, unlocking new opportunities for research.

Astronomical Data as a Service

Founded in 2014, Blue Skies Space is preparing to launch its first satellite, Mauve, in October 2025 aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9. Over a three-year mission, Mauve will observe hundreds of stars in the Milky Way, capturing data in ultraviolet and visible wavelengths. This mission aims to deliver crucial insights into the stars’ composition, temperature, density, mass, distance, and luminosity.

Researchers will gain the ability to study stellar magnetic activity, eruptions, and their effects on nearby exoplanets. Access to this wealth of information, however, requires an annual subscription to Blue Skies Space’s service.

While other companies monetize space data, they typically rely on ground-based telescopes or satellites observing Earth. “No private company has offered astronomical data as a service before; we’re the first,” says Marcell Tessenyi, co-founder and CEO of Blue Skies Space in an interview with TechCrunch.

Tessenyi highlights their extensive collaboration with the global scientific community, which has informed their business model and data offerings. The company has partnered with institutions from 11 countries, including Boston University and the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan. However, the cost of the annual subscription remains undisclosed.

Expanding Horizons with Exoplanet Observation

For the engineering of their satellites, Blue Skies Space has enlisted experienced manufacturers. Their next satellite, Twinkle, will be built by Airbus and focus on spectroscopic measurements of distant exoplanet atmospheres, with a mission extending over seven years.

Since its inception, Blue Skies Space has raised approximately $6.5 million, including $2 million in April from investors like Japan’s Sparx Group and UK-based SFC Capital. The company also received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation program.

This initiative exemplifies the burgeoning opportunities within the new space sector, marked by increased commercialization and privatization of space activities. Innovative start-ups are emerging with fresh offerings. “Our service provides greater flexibility to the scientific community, complementing high-demand facilities typically run by government agencies,” Tessenyi explains.

By offering this novel approach, Blue Skies Space is poised to enhance scientific research and expand access to critical astronomical data.