AFWERX Tasks Muon Space to Assess Feasibility of Weather Data Instrument

Low-Earth orbit satellite constellation company Muon Space has announced a Small Business Innovation Research Phase I contract from the Air Force Research Laboratory’s AFWERX directorate to support weather intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance activities.

AFWERX requires a feasibility study on the benefit of modifying a multispectral electro-optical/infrared instrument for cloud characterization observation, which the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Space Force rely on to maintain national security, Muon Space said.

The company is building an EO/IR constellation to meet the Pentagon’s weather data needs amid plans to phase out the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program.

Muon Space President Greg Smirin said the Pentagon seeks “innovative integrated sensor and spacecraft constellations” from newer space companies as it shifts toward a distributed weather satellite architecture. He described the feasibility study as an early step in a long-term effort by the company to create a full cloud characterization observation capability.

The Pentagon has sought to fulfill its weather data requirements in the near term by working with partners such as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.