T-Minus

WASHINGTON — The Space Force today announced a contract with commercial weather satellite operator Muon Space for three prototype birds to provide data such as cloud forecasting for terrestrial and maritime operations.

The $44.6 million Phase III Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) award is a follow on to a December 2024 contract to Muon to further develop an electro-optical/infrared sensor to “provide comprehensive cloud characterization and theater weather imagery.”

It also follows the company’s March launch of its first prototype for a planned 50-satellite FireSat constellation primarily aimed at monitoring wildfires — an effort developed in partnership with the Earth Fire Alliance, a nonprofit coalition backed by Google Research, the Environmental Defense Fund and other philanthropic organizations.

Space Force taps Muon for 3 prototype weather satellites - Breaking Defense The award will fund modification of the company's multispectral infrared imaging payload, Quickbeam, "to add additional spectral bands" to meet military environmental monitoring needs.