Pasadena, California — Sophia Space Inc. and Outpost Technologies Corporation today announced a joint effort focused on evaluating use cases at the intersection of on-orbit AI computing and rapid return-to-Earth space manufacturing. The partnership reflects shared strategic interest in how localized intelligence and faster iteration cycles could support the long-term scaling of in-space manufacturing.

“At some point, space manufacturing has to stop behaving like a science project and start behaving like an industry,” said Rob DeMillo, CEO of Sophia Space. “That means intelligence running on orbit and the ability to learn fast. When you can compute in space and return hardware quickly, you turn years-long development cycles into something that actually scales.”

At the center of the collaboration is a simple but powerful idea: manufacturing in space needs fast feedback, real-time intelligence, and the ability to test, analyze, and refine hardware on tight cycles.

“With Sophia Space aboard our Carryall mission, we’re helping accelerate the maturation of a new space sector: on-orbit compute,” said Jason Dunn, Founder of Outpost. “Sophia’s system represents a critical enabling layer for the in-space economy. Our return capability closes the loop between testing and production, enabling faster innovation and greater reliability.”

The collaboration will evaluate how Sophia Space’s Tile orbital compute platform can process manufacturing and sensor data directly in orbit, reducing latency, conserving bandwidth, and enabling faster, more autonomous decision-making, potentially integrating with Outpost’s in-space manufacturing and Carryall™ return-to-Earth systems.

For Sophia Space, access to rapid Earth return represents a step-change in how space compute hardware matures.

“Historically, space compute either stays on orbit forever or burns up on reentry,” DeMillo noted. “That’s a dead end for iteration. Carryall would give us something the industry has been missing: the ability to fly early hardware, operate it in real orbital conditions, and get it back into engineers’ hands quickly.”

By flying Tile compute modules into true microgravity, thermal, and radiation environments, and then returning them to Earth, Sophia Space could dramatically shorten design-build-fly cycles, accelerate debugging and post-flight forensics, and advance technology readiness at a pace far closer to terrestrial semiconductor development.

“Outpost Carryall isn’t just a spacecraft,” DeMillo added. “It’s an iteration engine.” 

The partnership includes exploring: 

• On-orbit processing of manufacturing sensor and quality-assurance data

• AI-enabled analytics delivering real-time or near-real-time operational insights

• Assessment of orbital computing advantages, including reduced latency, improved bandwidth efficiency, and inherent thermal benefits

• Concept-level evaluation of Sophia Space’s Tile integration with Outpost CarryAll™ platforms

Together, Sophia Space and Outpost are exploring an orbital ecosystem where AI-powered compute, autonomous manufacturing, and logistics operate as a unified system, unlocking a pathway to scaled microgravity manufacturing, distributed space-based compute, and future orbital data centers.

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Now Open for Engagement

Organizations across defense, space, and energy sectors are invited to explore partnership and deployment opportunities utilizing Sophia Space solutions.

About Sophia Space
Sophia Space is building scalable orbital compute infrastructure designed specifically for the space environment. Its patented Tile platform integrates autonomous power, AI edge computing, and passive thermal control in a modular architecture optimized for continuous on-orbit operations.

About Outpost Technologies
Outpost Technologies Corporation develops in-space manufacturing and return-to-Earth systems that enable rapid iteration and high-cadence space operations. Its Carryall™ platform closes the loop between orbit and Earth.

Media Contacts:
Brian Monnin, Co-Founder & Chief Growth Officer, Sophia Space | bmonnin@sophia.space

David Ariosto, Head of Communications, Sophia Space | dariosto@sophia.space

Chris Classen, Vice President of Marketing for Outpost | chris@outpost.space