EL SEGUNDO, CALIF. – The U.S. Space Force Space Systems Command’s (SSC) System Delta 810 (SYD 810), Space-Based Sensing & Targeting, has awarded a contract in support of leveraging existing global wildfire management and response capabilities while also providing cloud characterization and theater weather imagery data products in support of the joint warfighter.
The $44.6 million Phase III Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Firm Fixed Price Other Transaction Authority (OTA) Agreement was awarded to Muon Space, Inc. The contract leverages the company’s existing commercial mission and builds upon the successful outcomes of its previous FireSat prototype launch with the non-profit, Earth Fire Alliance.
Under this SSC OTA, SYD 810 will work to mature and integrate the payload technology and plans to launch three satellites, through prototype demonstrations, for further commercial environmental monitoring Data as a Service (DaaS) integration and evaluation. This effort is part of a broader SYD 810 DaaS strategy informed by continuous assessment of operational needs and commercial offerings.
“SSC is focused on accelerating the delivery of cutting-edge capabilities to our Guardians and warfighters,” said Andy Betz, chief, Advanced Programs, SSC SYD 810. “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. Through these efforts, we will both create strategic advantages and support Combatant Commander objectives.”
This agreement will work to extend the design of the multispectral infrared imaging payload, Quickbeam, to add additional spectral bands, creating the Quickbeam-S variant to meet the unique environmental monitoring mission needs. Muon's Quickbeam-S Payload is a cross-track scanning multispectral imager, with nine spectral channels spanning, visible through infrared spectral regions. The resulting sensor data can be used to support a wide range of military missions.
“In other words, our work is paramount for the warfighter as it provides critical information for global terrestrial cloud forecasting, theater weather imagery data, and actionable environmental surveillance, to support timely military operations, planning and execution,” said Betz. This includes aviation flight planning, maritime ship routing, satellite launch operations, and theater ground and airborne operations, where tracking of weather phenomena like fog, precipitation, dust and sandstorms can be critical to mission success.
SSC is the U.S. Space Force field command responsible for acquiring, developing, and delivering resilient capabilities to outpace emerging threats and protect our Nation’s strategic advantage in, from, and to space. SSC manages a $15.6 billion annual space acquisition budget for the Department of Defense, working with joint forces, industry partners, government agencies, academia, and allied nations. For more information, visit ssc.spaceforce.mil and follow @USSF-SSC on LinkedIn.
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