Scout Space to invest $1M, add 31 jobs in Fairfax

Scout Space, a Reston-based technology company specializing in systems and software deployed on satellites, will invest more than $1 million to expand its operations in Fairfax County, Gov. Abigail Spanberger announced Tuesday.

Scout Space plans to create 31 jobs in Virginia and add 2,650 square feet of office space at a new manufacturing facility in Merrifield.

“This expansion reflects both the increasing demand for advanced space domain awareness capabilities and our commitment to building the technologies that enable safer, more dynamic operations in orbit,” Scout Space CEO Josiah Gruber said in a news release.

Founded in 2019, Scout Space develops and deploys next-generation sensor systems, autonomy software and data platforms designed to enable cross-orbit intelligence and dynamic space operations.

“Scout Space’s expansion in Fairfax County reinforces the commonwealth’s role as a national center of innovation, where cutting-edge technology and mission-driven expertise come together to strengthen our nation’s capabilities,” Spanberger said in the release.

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority to secure the project.

Virginia will assist Scout Space’s job creation efforts through the Virginia Jobs Investment Program, which provides consulting and funding to companies creating new jobs to support employee recruitment and training.

On May 6, Scout Space announced it had raised up to $18 million in Series A funding led by Washington Harbour Partners, an Arlington-based private investment firm. The capital will support upcoming mission execution and the buildout of a new facility in Northern Virginia, according to a news release.

The round also included participation from Virginia Innovation Partnership Corp., the nonprofit arm of an entity created by the state legislature that makes direct equity investments in technology and innovation-led early-stage growth startups and venture capital funds. Other investors are Reston-based Noblis Ventures, which invests in early-stage deep-tech startups, and VC funds Decisive Point and Fusion Fund.

Scout Space is working with Washington-based Blue Origin, the Jeff Bezos-founded manufacturer of rocket engines, reusable launch vehicles, lunar landers and satellite systems, to integrate its flagship Owl sensor on the inaugural mission of Blue Ring, a multi-mission spacecraft. Additionally, the U.S. Space Force has awarded Scout Space multiple Tactical Funding Increase awards.

The company did not immediately respond to a request for comment Wednesday.