Insider Brief
- Atomic-6 has been awarded $3.8 million through a Tactical Funding Increase (TACFI) to further develop its Space Armor™ shielding tiles, an advanced solution to protect space assets from orbital debris and kinetic energy threats.
- The $3.8 million TACFI award, supplemented by matching funds from external investors, enables Atomic-6 to transition Space Armor™ from a prototype to a scalable product line.
- The company plans to introduce additional variations and capabilities to address evolving customer and industry needs.
Atomic-6 announced it has been awarded $3.8 million through a Tactical Funding Increase (TACFI) to further develop its Space Armor™ shielding tiles, an advanced solution to protect space assets from orbital debris and kinetic energy threats. The funding will enable the company to complete testing qualifications for Space Armor™’s first flight and expand its product line to meet increasing market demand.
Space Armor™ is engineered to address key challenges in orbital safety. Its design reduces shielding mass, minimizes stowage requirements, and limits post-impact ejecta, offering significant advantages for mitigating mission risks. The tiles also feature optional radio frequency permeability, allowing operators to maintain communication capabilities while ensuring asset protection.
Atomic-6 offers two tailored levels of protection within the Space Armor™ product line: Space Armor™ Lite and Space Armor™ Max. The Lite version defends against debris up to 3mm, which makes up over 90% of debris in low Earth orbit (LEO). The Max variant provides protection against larger debris, handling impacts up to 12.5mm. This approach allows operators to choose cost-effective solutions aligned with specific mission requirements.
NASA’s recent study on the economic benefits of safeguarding satellites underscores the importance of such technologies, projecting potential net savings of over $50 billion in the next 30 years. Space Armor™ aligns with this vision by addressing both current and future challenges in debris mitigation.
The $3.8 million TACFI award, supplemented by matching funds from external investors, enables Atomic-6 to transition Space Armor™ from a prototype to a scalable product line. The company plans to introduce additional variations and capabilities to address evolving customer and industry needs.
With a focus on safety, sustainability, and performance, Atomic-6 is advancing its mission to protect space assets and reduce mission risk. The Space Armor™ technology is a strategic tool for the U.S. military, allied partners, and commercial operators seeking enhanced orbital resilience in an increasingly contested space environment.
Image credit: Atomic-6
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