Muon Space awarded $44.6 million Space Force contract for dual-use environmental monitoring satellites

Summary Points: 

• The contract funds development and on-orbit prototype demonstration of a dual-use space-based environmental monitoring (SBEM) system for both DOD meteorology and oceanography and global wildfire detection.
• Muon will equip each satellite with an enhanced Quickbeam-SBEM nine-channel multispectral infrared sensor, spanning visible through long-wave infrared wavelengths and optimized for DoD weather operations.
• The program builds on Muon’s commercial FireSat platform, including the FireSat Protoflight launched in March 2025 and the first three operational EFA FireSat satellites scheduled for 2026.

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. - Muon Space, a provider of end-to-end space systems specializing in satellite constellations in Mountain View, Calif., announced it has been awarded a $44.6 million Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase III Other Transaction Authority (OTA) agreement from the U.S. Space Force’s Space Systems Command System Delta 810 (SYD 810).

The contract funds development and on-orbit prototype demonstration of a dual-use space-based environmental monitoring (SBEM) capability. The system is designed to serve both Department of Defense Meteorology and Oceanography end users for mission planning and execution and global wildfire detection and monitoring.

The three-satellite prototype addresses the two highest priorities in SBEM identified by the Joint Requirements Oversight Council: Cloud Characterization and Theater Weather Imagery. These capabilities support mission planning and operations in contested environments where traditional weather data sources may be unavailable or compromised.

Related: NASA contracts American Aerospace for uncrewed wildfire-monitoring flights

"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," said Jonny Dyer, CEO of Muon Space. "By building on our commercial FireSat foundation, we can deliver operational value immediately while proving scalability for future defense missions. 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."

Commercial roots

The program builds on technology developed for Muon's FireSat Protoflight, launched in March 2025 with the nonprofit Earth Fire Alliance (EFA). The first three operational satellites in EFA's FireSat program are planned for launch in 2026 for global wildfire detection and monitoring.

Under the Phase III demonstration, Muon will launch three satellites equipped with an enhanced Quickbeam-SBEM multispectral infrared sensor to meet the Space Force’s SBEM requirements. The Quickbeam-SBEM variant extends Muon's dual-use imaging platform, originally developed for wildfire monitoring, with enhanced spectral coverage and onboard processing optimized for DoD weather operations. Each satellite’s nine-channel multispectral imager spans visible through long-wave infrared wavelengths, capturing atmospheric and thermal conditions with precision.