California-based defense technology company Wardstone has attracted close 5 million in seed funding and is preparing to test its first prototype interceptor this spring during a suborbital flight. Nova Threshold became investors, Liquid 2 Ventures, Bow Capital, B5 Capital та Allegis Capital.
For reference: Wardstone – a startup, which specializes in design, creating and deploying satellites to protect the US and its allies from missile and other space threats. It is focused on cooperation with US Space Force and is engaged in the development of demonstration samples of interceptor missiles.
Wardstone focuses on the development of satellites and related systems, intended for physical interception and neutralization of missile threats from orbit, including hypersonic missiles. He plans to develop kinetic interceptors, which may eventually be launched from the ground or from space. CEO of the startup Sebastian Fischer said, that the main priority for the company at the moment is countering hypersonic threats, and in the future, it is planned to expand activities to ballistic missiles and other threats in space.
Wardstone's technical approach differs from traditional hit-to-kill interceptors, which rely on precise tracking to directly collide with the incoming warhead. The company's interceptors will actively monitor hypersonic threats and, shortly before impact, deploy large clouds of particles with a diameter of about 1 km. This approach increases the probability of interception, reduces costs for sensors and actuators, which make modern interceptors so expensive, and can even handle the complications of maneuvering hypersonic missiles or false targets.
Wardstone intends to launch its first prototype interceptor in late April on a supersonic sounding rocket. Sounding rockets are suborbital vehicles, which are used to test technologies in high-speed and high-altitude conditions without launching the equipment into orbit. Fisher declined to name the companies, involved in the launch.
Source: https://spacenews.com