PROJECT ROUND-UP

MICHIGAN MARYLAND

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer has launched the Michigan Advanced Air Mobility( AAM) Initiative.

The initiative intends to scale Michigan’ s AAM capabilities – ensuring safe and efficient integration of these technologies across public and private sectors.

In conjunction, four new projects will receive over US $ 4.1 million in total funding to scale AAM research and infrastructure through the second round of the state’ s AAM Activation Fund.

The four projects are:

IonQ has completed its acquisition of Capella Space Corporation, an American space tech company with synthetic aperture radar( SAR) and satellite solutions for government and commercial applications.

The closing marks a significant step in IonQ’ s mission to develop the world’ s first space-to-space and space-to-ground satellite quantum key distribution( QKD) network, enabling quantumsecure global communications.

With the acquisition now finalized, IonQ will begin developing a space-based QKD network by integrating Capella’ s satellite infrastructure with its quantum technology.

• CVS Health – US $ 1,500,000 to support a drone initiative to get critical specialty medications to patients.

• Traverse Connect – US $ 949,000 to Traverse City and surrounding areas expanding use of uncrewed aerial systems for medical supply and sample delivery.

• Jack Demmer Automotive Group – US $ 740,000 across various locations toward a partnership project utilizing drones for the rapid delivery of high-demand automotive parts.

• University of Michigan- US $ 1,000,000 to create M-Air, an expansion of the Mcity public / private partnership building out testbeds for AAM and UAS.

“ Advanced air mobility is a new mobility frontier, presenting an opportunity for Michigan to demonstrate next-generation industrial leadership,” said Gov. Whitmer.

“ We have an exceptional opportunity to accelerate our vision for the quantum internet, where global QKD will play a foundational role in enabling secure communications,” said Niccolo de Masi, CEO, IonQ.

“ The integration of Capella’ s advanced space-based platform and proven constellation of deployed satellites – along with IonQ’ s quantum technologies – is expected to bolster commercial applications, global defense, and intelligence missions.”

“ Capella has been a long-time pioneer in space technology and we can now take actionable steps to push the boundaries further by building the first quantum-enabled Earth observation platform,” said Frank Backes, CEO, Capella.“ We’ re excited to be joining the IonQ team on this new journey.”

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