Muon Space Wins $44.6M US Space Force Contract for Weather Satellites
Muon Space, a pioneering startup in affordable satellites for Earth observation and weather analysis, has been awarded a significant contract. The $44.6 million deal, secured from the US Space Force, involves the construction of three prototype weather satellites.
The contract, awarded under the Space Force's System Delta 810 program, aims to mature and integrate payload technology for the three satellites. This marks a shift in Muon Space's focus, moving from commercial wildfire tracking to military weather monitoring. The satellites are set to support critical missions such as aviation flight planning, maritime ship routing, and satellite launch operations.
The award follows a previous contract with Muon Space in December 2024 for sensor development. The current contract involves modifying Muon's Quickbeam multispectral infrared imaging payload to add additional spectral bands, resulting in the Quickbeam-S. This modified payload will have nine spectral channels, spanning visible through infrared regions, providing enhanced data capabilities for terrestrial and maritime operations.
The first two satellite demos are projected to launch in late 2027, with the third in early 2028. This contract, awarded during the FY25 budget, demonstrates the US Space Force's confidence in Muon Space's innovative satellite technology. The company continues to make strides in the weather satellite market, expanding its reach from commercial to military applications.
