Muon Space, a company specializing in satellite constellations, has been awarded a contract worth nearly $45 million by the United States Space Force. The agreement will fund the development and launch of a three-satellite prototype system designed for advanced environmental monitoring from orbit.
This system will serve a dual purpose: providing critical weather data for Department of Defense operations and offering a global platform for detecting and monitoring wildfires.
Key Takeaways
- Muon Space received a $44.6 million contract from the U.S. Space Force's Space Systems Command.
- The funding is for a three-satellite prototype constellation for space-based environmental monitoring (SBEM).
- The satellites will provide dual-use capabilities, serving both military weather needs and civilian wildfire detection.
- The project directly addresses the Pentagon's highest priorities in environmental monitoring: Cloud Characterization (CC) and Theater Weather Imagery (TWI).
- This initiative is part of the Space Force's strategy to integrate commercial technology into a hybrid space architecture.
Contract Details and Objectives
The United States Space Force has awarded Muon Space a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase III Firm Fixed Price contract valued at $44.6 million. The agreement, formally an Other Transaction Authority (OTA), was granted by the Space Systems Command System Delta 810 (SYD 810).
The primary goal of the contract is to fund the creation and on-orbit demonstration of a dual-use, space-based environmental monitoring (SBEM) system. This involves building, launching, and operating a prototype constellation consisting of three satellites.
These satellites are designed to gather data for two distinct but related missions. First, they will support Department of Defense (DoD) Meteorology and Oceanography users, providing essential data for military mission planning and execution. Second, the same platform will be used for global wildfire detection and monitoring, a critical civilian application.
What is an SBIR Phase III Contract?
The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program encourages domestic small businesses to engage in Federal Research/Research and Development with the potential for commercialization. A Phase III award is focused on transitioning technology developed in earlier phases into a viable product for government or commercial markets, often without further competition.
Addressing Critical Defense Needs
The three-satellite demonstration directly targets the two highest-priority needs in environmental monitoring as identified by the Joint Requirements Oversight Council (JROC). These are Cloud Characterization (CC) and Theater Weather Imagery (TWI).
Access to accurate and timely CC and TWI data is essential for military operations, especially in contested environments. In such scenarios, traditional weather data sources might be unreliable, compromised, or completely unavailable. This constellation aims to provide an independent and secure source of environmental intelligence.
The contract represents a key component of the Space Force's broader strategy to develop hybrid space architectures. This approach involves blending government-owned assets with commercial capabilities to create more resilient, responsive, and cost-effective space systems.
Top Environmental Monitoring Priorities
- Cloud Characterization (CC): Provides detailed information about cloud cover, thickness, and type, which is vital for planning aerial and space-based operations.
- Theater Weather Imagery (TWI): Delivers real-time weather visuals over specific areas of operation, improving situational awareness for troops on the ground and in the air.
Leveraging Commercial Innovation
Muon Space plans to build upon technology already developed for its commercial FireSat program. This program, created in partnership with the nonprofit Earth Fire Alliance (EFA), is focused on creating a dedicated satellite system for global wildfire monitoring.
Jonny Dyer, CEO of Muon Space, highlighted the efficiency of this dual-use approach.
"This mission demonstrates the power of dual-use design — we’re not just adapting existing technology, we’re creating a platform that excels at both missions simultaneously. By building on our commercial FireSat foundation, we can deliver operational value immediately while proving scalability for future defense missions."
Dyer added, "We’re honored to continue our partnership with Space Systems Command to help ensure environmental data is accessible when and where it matters most —supporting faster decisions in dynamic, high-stakes conditions."
Timeline and Future Plans
The foundation for this new mission was laid with Muon's FireSat Protoflight, which successfully launched in March 2025. That initial mission validated the core technology in partnership with the Earth Fire Alliance.
Looking ahead, the first three operational satellites for the EFA's FireSat program are scheduled for launch in 2026. These will be dedicated to the wildfire detection mission.
The three satellites funded by the new Space Force contract will be launched as a separate prototype demonstration. Following their deployment, the data they collect will be integrated and evaluated for potential use in a commercial Data as a Service (DaaS) model for other environmental monitoring applications.
This project illustrates a growing trend of public-private partnerships within the space industry, where commercial innovation is leveraged to meet national security requirements efficiently and effectively.