Phantom Space today announced the acquisition of Thermal Management Technologies (TMT), a company that builds advanced satellite thermal components for in-space applications.
With the acquisition, the AZ-based rocket and satellite developer is aiming to spur development of its in-orbit data center constellation—called Phantom Cloud—which is targeting an initial deployment in mid-2027.
Under the agreement, TMT will operate as a subsidiary of Phantom, with founder Scott Schick staying on as the company’s general manager. TMT will also collaborate with Phantom to develop Block 1 Phantom Cloud sats. The companies did not announce the terms of the deal.
“TMT’s technology is a critical piece of the puzzle for our constellation,” Phantom CEO Jim Cantrell said in a statement. “They have deep expertise in satellite thermal components, and we see immense potential in their technology to improve the performance and reliability of our orbital infrastructure.”
Spending spree: Phantom has a busy year ahead. Alongside the development of its satellite constellation, the company is continuing progress on its Daytona rocket, which is targeting an inaugural launch in the latter half of 2027.
To fuel all of this technical development, Phantom has embarked on an acquisition spree. In February, Phantom completed the acquisition of Vector Launch, buying the bankrupt launcher’s assets to accelerate Daytona’s development.
The acquisitions are intended to help Phantom hit the market faster. While Phantom ultimately envisions launching Phantom Cloud sats on its Daytona rocket, the company will launch the first iteration on an undisclosed third-party rocket—an acceleration that came as a direct result of SpaceX acquiring xAI, “the equivalent of the beehive being kicked over,” according to Cantrell.
So demanding: Despite Phantom Cloud still being under development, Phantom has already signed on multiple users, including Ubotica Technologies, and told Payload that it’s in talks with other potential partners who are interested in securing server space on orbit once it becomes available.
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Four astronauts are on their way to the Moon after a successful Artemis II launch on Wednesday night.
The Space Launch System rocket, topped off with the Orion crew capsule, lifted off from the Kennedy Space Center at 6:35 pm ET. NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Christina Koch, and Victor Glover, plus Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen, are on board—with Koch and Glover poised to make history as the first woman and person of color to head to the Moon, and Hansen as the first non-American.
Short term: During the 10-day mission, the astronauts will conduct a lunar flyby. Some highlights of the test flight include:
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