Muon Space has been awarded a $44.6 million Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Firm Fixed Price Phase III Other Transaction Authority (OTA) Agreement from the United States Space Force’s Space Systems Command System Delta 810 (SYD 810).
The OTA Agreement funds development and on-orbit prototype demonstration of a dual-use space-based environmental monitoring (SBEM) capability that simultaneously serves the Department of War (DoW) Meteorology and Oceanography end users for mission planning and execution in addition to global wildfire detection and monitoring.
The three-satellite prototype demonstration directly addresses the two highest-priorities in SBEM identified by the Joint Requirements Oversight Council (JROC): Cloud Characterization (CC) and Theater Weather Imagery (TWI). These capabilities are essential for mission planning and execution in contested environments where traditional weather data sources may be unavailable or compromised. The SBIR Phase III OTA agreement is a cornerstone in the Space Force’s push toward hybrid space architectures that integrate commercial capabilities to fill critical needs.
This mission builds upon technology developed for Muon’s successful FireSat Protoflight launched in March of 2025 in partnership with the nonprofit Earth Fire Alliance (EFA). The first three operational satellites in EFA’s FireSat program are slated to launch in 2026 for global wildfire detection and monitoring.
Muon will launch three satellites for Space Systems Command’s prototype demonstration, for further commercial environmental monitoring Data as a Service (DaaS) integration and evaluation. Muon was awarded a SBIR Phase II contract in December 2024 to evolve its multispectral infrared (IR) instrument, Quickbeam, for this dual-purpose application.
SYD 810’s FireSat-SBEM Phase III program will deploy three satellites equipped with an enhanced Quickbeam-SBEM payload to demonstrate this operational capability to meet the DoD’s critical SBEM needs. This accelerated timeline is enabled by Muon’s flight-proven Halo™ platform and FireSat flight heritage.
The Quickbeam-SBEM variant extends Muon’s dual-use multispectral infrared imaging platform – originally developed for global wildfire management – with enhanced spectral coverage and onboard processing optimized for DoD weather operations. Each satellite will carry the Quickbeam-SBEM sensor, a nine-channel multispectral imager, spanning the visible through long-wave infrared (LWIR) spectrum, capable of capturing atmospheric and thermal conditions with precision and speed.
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.”
Addendum
In July of 2025, Space Systems Command stood up two System Deltas: System Delta 810 and Space Sensing System Delta 84. in an activation ceremony at Los Angeles Air Force Base.
It is a truly momentous and historic day,” Lt. Gen. Philip Garrant, SSC commander, said. “Through unity of effort, the Space Force’s System Delta framework allows us to streamline the work between acquisitions and operations accomplished through intimate collaboration with our Mission Delta counterparts across the field commands.
SYDs consolidate SSC program offices that design, develop and deliver mission systems under a force design structure for acquisitions. The SYDs will ensure mission area analysis is continuous and improves upon mission advocacy with a singular focus on mission sets, unity of effort and properly aligned accountability.
SSC sustainment units have already transferred to the Space Operations Command Mission Deltas that perform mission generation, intelligence support, and cyber defense.