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WASHINGTON — The U.S. Space Force is betting that satellites designed to spot wildfires can also fill critical gaps in military weather monitoring capabilities. Muon Space, a California-based manufacturer of small satellites, was awarded a $44.6 million contract for in-orbit demonstrations of the company’s environmental monitoring technology in support of military applications.
The Space Systems Command announced Oct. 8 it awarded Muon Space a Phase 3 Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) fixed price Other Transaction Authority (OTA) agreement, a type of public-partnership deal used by the government to tap commercially available technologies.
The Space Force Space Systems Command’s organization known as System Delta 810, focused on space-based sensing and targeting, said the contract is to leverage Muon’s “global wildfire management and response capabilities while also providing cloud characterization and theater weather imagery data products in support of the joint warfighter.”
The Phase 3 award follows a $2.9 million SBIR Phase 2 contract awarded in December to support the development of Muon’s multispectral infrared instrument, known as Quickbeam.
Based in Mountain View, Muon Space developed environmental monitoring sensors in partnership with the nonprofit Earth Fire Alliance. They plan to deploy a constellation of “FireSat” satellites in low Earth orbit to monitor wildfires and other environmental phenomena. The Space Force has been exploring how these systems might also fill defense needs.
Accurate cloud cover imaging is critical for military operations, as precision-guided munitions, satellite imagery scheduling and reconnaissance planning rely on detailed weather data. The Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) has provided this capability, but the constellation is no longer operational and the Space Force has been looking at commercial alternatives. The military also relies on civilian partner agencies for weather data.
Muon’s Phase 3 contract “leverages the company’s existing commercial mission and builds upon the successful outcomes of its previous FireSat prototype launch,” said the Space Systems Command.
“By building on our commercial FireSat foundation, we can deliver operational value immediately while proving scalability for future defense missions,” said Jonny Dyer, CEO of Muon Space.
Muon’s first FireSat prototype launched in March 2025. The first three operational satellites in the FireSat program are slated to launch in 2026 for global wildfire detection and monitoring.
Under the new Space Force contract, Muon said it will launch three satellites for the Space Systems Command’s prototype demonstration. The satellites will be equipped with a Quickbeam payload with enhanced spectral coverage and onboard processing technology, designed to capture atmospheric and thermal conditions.
This enhanced payload is called Quickbeam-S. Tracy Morgan, vice president of growth at Muon Space, said the Quickbeam-S is a dual-use payload being developed to simultaneously serve Department of Defense meteorology and oceanography users for mission planning, in addition to global wildfire detection and monitoring.
Morgan said the three satellites to be built for the Space Systems Command will have Quickbeam-S payloads.
The Space Force said this project is part of a broader effort to piggyback on commercial development timelines and investment, potentially accelerating deployment while sharing costs with civilian applications.
“This Phase III award exemplifies our commitment to fully implement the U.S. Space Force’s Commercial Space Strategy and take advantage of the speed, innovation, and capabilities offered by the commercial sector,” said Andy Betz, chief of advanced programs at System Delta 810.
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