SBIR SUCCESS: O Analytics is Space Intelligence in Action
O Analytics is focused on driving innovation beyond our atmosphere, or as they put it, “putting new space intelligence into action … sooner.”
Founded in 2019, O Analytics is a space object and detection characterization company started by Dr. Stacey Jones. With a PhD in computer science, she has over 15years of experience in developing aerospace systems for both defense and civil applications, including work with the DoD to support space domain awareness and threat characterization. The company is working to solve an interesting problem - tracking objects in our increasingly crowded near-Earth atmosphere. O Analytics’ mission is simple: answer the questions, "What is it? What is it doing? And what will it do next?"
Combining their algorithmic software with their partners' sensors, they’re able to help quickly find the answer. According to their website, “O Analytics is addressing this enormous challenge with solutions that provide timely, actionable information from less-than-ideal imagery within tightly constrained transfer bandwidths. Our solutions can also work in tandem with newer and emerging multi-modal sensing innovations. In short, using our unique algorithmic approach, we extract key features from the ‘dots and streaks’ and other space imagery and data – fast; and ‘make it make sense’ by providing important information to alert further investigation by military, intelligence or commercial entities.”
Federal funding programs have played a major role in aiding the development and traction of the company. In addition to getting their start as part of an Air Force accelerator, O Analytics has been awarded seven SBIRs and STTRs, which allowed them to secure nearly $2.5 million dollars in nondilutive funds. These awards have been instrumental in the advancement of the company's technology and organizational growth. "This early funding supported critical R&D and customer engagement, helping us develop viable and differentiating products for defense and commercial space without affecting equity or ownership," said CEO, Stacey Jones.
In addition to working with West Virginia University on multiple STTRs, the company has worked with Sandia National Laboratories and other universities. Dr. Jones emphasized the importance of working with universities and that it “stimulates a lot of innovative ideas - especially during technical exchanges with students. They have come up with ideas and angles on concepts that really have been value added. “As the company continues to grow, its six-year journey is only beginning to lift-off, as O Analytics continues to develop breakthrough technologies and invest in and nurture partnerships with our universities. With every new step, they are turning something once complex into something clear.
