Critical Need for this Technology

As climate change accelerates, the need for accurate, real-time data from the upper atmosphere has become increasingly urgent. Current satellite and ground-based systems are unable to continuously monitor Earth’s upper atmosphere, limiting the ability to track changes in weather and long-term climate patterns. Rarefied’s near-space platforms fill this gap by providing high-resolution atmospheric data collection without relying on conventional propulsion systems or costly satellite launches. These platforms can remain aloft indefinitely at altitudes between 30 and 100 km using only sunlight for propulsion, allowing for real-time monitoring of atmospheric data. These data collection efforts are crucial to improving climate models, aviation, and disaster preparedness. The technology’s lightweight, scalable design offers a low-carbon, cost-effective alternative to traditional satellites and aircraft without contributing to space junk.

Supplemental Need for the Technology

Beyond weather monitoring and climate research, these platforms enable sustainable advancements in fields such as telecommunications and defense, offering rapidly deployable clandestine communications networks with significantly reduced environmental and operational costs compared to traditional satellites and aircraft.

Competition

• Planet Labs, Spire Global, and Satellogic:  satellite-based remote sensing and data collection providers, offering services in weather monitoring and Earth observation.
• Vaisala and Earth Networks:  ground-based atmospheric data collection and weather monitoring companies, competing in real-time atmospheric sensing.

Rarefied differentiates itself by providing sustainable, continuous, and high resolution sensing in a previously unreachable region of the upper atmosphere, reducing reliance on costly satellite launches or ground-based sensors.

Potential Markets

Rarefied’s technology has applications across several high-growth markets. In the climate research and environmental monitoring sectors, its platforms provide continuous atmospheric data crucial for improving weather forecasts and understanding long-term climate change patterns. Telecommunications is another key market, as Rarefied’s platforms can support Future-G communication infrastructure by providing high-altitude relay points and phased antenna arrays, reducing reliance on ground-based infrastructure in remote or difficult-to-reach areas. In the defense sector, Rarefied’s platforms offer persistent surveillance capabilities at high altitudes, allowing for clandestine monitoring and intelligence gathering without the operational costs associated with satellites or drones. Other potential markets include disaster response, where real-time atmospheric sensing could improve early-warning systems for events such as hurricanes or wildfires, and aviation, where better atmospheric data could optimize flight paths and reduce fuel consumption.

Key Innovation

Rarefied Technologies offers a novel propulsion mechanism that allows lightweight platforms to stay aloft in near-space.

Team Overview

Angela Feldhaus, C0-Founder and COO, took a leave of absence from her Ph.D. program in Applied Mathematics at Harvard University to co-found Rarefied Technologies.

Benjamin Schafer, Co-Founder, PhD in Applied Physics from Harvard University, B.A. in Physics and Chemistry from Hamilton College. Former NIST and LANL researcher.

Josue Martinez-Hardigree, Lead Scientist, PhD in Materials Engineering from Johns Hopkins University, B.S. in Materials Engineering from Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Former Exponent consultant.

R&D Status

Rarefied’s  technology is currently at TRL 3. It has demonstrated lab-based flight of prototype devices and are currently scaling up to loft useful payloads for near-space. Its work with CRI will focus on deployment strategies for an initial field test and development of advanced devices.

Technology Profile

Status: TRL3
Primary industry: Aerospace
Category (i.e. tech keywords): Aerospace, Space
Estimated annual revenue: N/A
Employs: 3
Social challenge: N/A