Quantum Space has closed a $15 million Series A funding round to pave the way for NASA to build a permanent human settlement on the moon. The Maryland-based aviation and aerospace component manufacturing startup will use the fund to launch platforms that offer various services in cislunar space.
With the capital, the company will launch its first spacecraft, QS-1. The company is also developing an in-space tug called Ranger that will deliver its platforms, called Scouts, to accompany QS-1 in the QuantumNet network in space.
The QS-1 mission is a rideshare payload, but Quantum Space targets to have carried 40 Scout vehicles on its own to its constellation of platforms by 2023, with one Ranger capable of carrying four Scouts. Blue Canyon Technologies will launch the spacecraft bus for QS-1, along with a situational awareness payload from GEOST and payloads from other partners.
Quantum Space’s Series A round
Leading Quantum Space as its CEO is former NASA acting administrator Steve Jurczyk, who co-founded the company in 2021 with Kam Ghaffarian and Ben Reed.
Prime Movers Lab is the sole participant in the current funding round. It had previously invested in several space companies, including Axiom Space, also founded by Ghaffarian.
Anton Breve, a partner at Prime Movers, said the funding would play a “critical role” in humankind’s expansion beyond the Earth. He revealed that his previous partnership with Axiom Space was the reason for his firm’s investment in Quantum Space.
“Kam is a visionary entrepreneur who we’ve wanted to partner with again since investing in some of his previous endeavors,” he said.
On the other hand, Jurczyk said the company entered a partnership with Prime Movers because the firm had agreed to help his company recruit talents in various areas of skill to expand its 20-manned team.
Next year, Prime Movers will help Quantum Space attract new investors for a Series B round. The upcoming funding will support its QS-1 mission and future projects.
