Company attributes
AstronetX public benefit corporation (PBC) is a US company offering space-based observational and database services to the astrophysics, planetary defense, earth science, planetary science, and national security industries. Founded in June 2019 by entrepreneur Robert Lasky and headquartered in Westport, Connecticut, AstronetX also operates from Boston, Massachusetts, and Pasadena, California. AstronetX offers its services to government agencies, non-government scientists, scholars, and enthusiasts with the aim of enabling scientific research in earth and space sciences. The company also intends to build partnerships to develop new tools and technology for future research and educational programs that foster public interest in science and space exploration. Existing AstronetX sponsors and partners include the following:
- AFVentures
- Airforce Research Laboratory
- Space Systems Command
- Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation
The company's AstronetX Lunar-based camera (L-CAM) system is designed to ride aboard commercial orbiters and lunar landers to provide cost-effective data from Cislunar space. On January 18, 2022, AstronetX announced a collaboration with researchers and students from Louisiana State University (LSU), Mississippi State University (MSU), and the SETI Institute to design the science program for the first experiment using L-CAM1. The program planning is being funded by a grant from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation to AstronetX and additional support for student participation provided by the National Science Foundation Research Experiences for Undergrads (REU) program at LSU. Two primary science cases were selected for the observing program:
- Improving the characterization of previously known exoplanets
- Asteroid observation and characterization
