Insider Brief
- Muon Space has received a Small Business Innovation Research Phase II contract from SpaceWERX through Space Systems Command.
- The funding supports the development of a multispectral Electro-Optical/Infrared instrument designed to address critical gaps in space-based environmental monitoring for both the Department of Defense and commercial sectors.
- The advanced EO/IR instrument aims to deliver precise cloud characterization and theater weather imagery. These capabilities address top priorities identified by the Joint Requirements Oversight Council, supporting global defense and national security operations with accurate, real-time environmental data essential for mission success.
Muon Space, a space systems provider specializing in tailored low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellations, announced it has received a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II contract from SpaceWERX through Space Systems Command (SSC). The funding supports the development of a multispectral Electro-Optical/Infrared (EO/IR) instrument designed to address critical gaps in space-based environmental monitoring (SBEM) for both the Department of Defense (DoD) and commercial sectors.
The advanced EO/IR instrument aims to deliver precise cloud characterization and theater weather imagery. These capabilities address top priorities identified by the Joint Requirements Oversight Council (JROC), supporting global defense and national security operations with accurate, real-time environmental data essential for mission success.
Muon Space’s work aligns with SpaceWERX’s mission to streamline innovation through the SBIR program. The initiative fast-tracks the transition from proposal to award, expands small business opportunities, and reduces procedural obstacles. The U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) and SpaceWERX have been integral in implementing these process improvements.
“This award accelerates Muon’s development of a dual-use instrument that serves both the DoD’s SBEM needs and our FireSat commercial wildfire monitoring mission,” said Gregory Smirin, President of Muon Space. By incorporating additional spectral bands into the FireSat architecture, Muon Space aims to create a versatile EO/IR solution capable of observing both cloud cover and wildfires.
The project embodies the SBIR program’s mission to foster innovation by providing funding to small businesses for developing commercial-ready technologies. For Muon Space, evolving its FireSat architecture into a dual-use SBEM variant not only fulfills immediate DoD requirements but also lays the foundation for broader commercial applications in environmental intelligence.
Christine Fox, former Acting Deputy Secretary of Defense and a member of Muon’s Board of Directors, highlighted the instrument’s potential. “The ability to forecast weather globally, 24/7, in austere and denied environments is crucial for mission readiness. The EO/IR instrument developed by Muon Space offers a path to achieving that capability faster and more affordably.”
Image credit: Muon Space
