Muon Space Secures $44.6M Contract for Environmental Monitoring Satellites

Muon Space has been awarded a $44.6 million Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase III Other Transaction Authority (OTA) Agreement from the U.S. Space Force's Space Systems Command System Delta 810. Announced in a press release, the agreement funds the development and on-orbit prototype demonstration of a dual-use space-based environmental monitoring capability.

The project involves launching three satellites equipped with the Quickbeam-SBEM sensor, a nine-channel multispectral imager designed to capture atmospheric and thermal conditions. These satellites will address the highest priorities in space-based environmental monitoring identified by the Joint Requirements Oversight Council: Cloud Characterization and Theater Weather Imagery. These capabilities are crucial for mission planning and execution in environments where traditional weather data sources may be unavailable or compromised.

This initiative is part of the Space Force's strategy to integrate commercial capabilities into hybrid space architectures, filling critical needs for the Department of Defense. The satellites will also support global wildfire detection and monitoring, showcasing the dual-use design of the platform.