9 December 2025 Muon Space won a contract for the sum of $1,9 million under the Small Business Innovation Research program (SBIR) on the adaptation of commercial thermal sensing technology for military missile launch warning systems. The SBIR contract has a Direct to Phase path 2, which allows companies to skip the feasibility study stage and go straight to prototyping. Although the contract was announced only this week, it was concluded in the summer, therefore, it was not affected by the suspension of the SBIR program, that started 30 September this year.
Under the terms of the contract, Muon Space will build a highly sensitive version of its multispectral electro-optical infrared (EO/IR) payload for the Space Development Agency (SDA) US Space Force. SDA develops the tracking layer (Tracking Layer) – a constellation of satellites in low Earth orbit, designed for continuous detection and monitoring of modern missile threats. The new payload will be based on Muon's Quickbeam scanning architecture, which was originally created for thermal detection.
This deal adds to Muon Space's defense portfolio, which is growing rapidly. Early 2025 year, the Space Force has already awarded the company a contract for 44,6 million to demonstrate the Quickbeam thermal imaging system for environmental monitoring and meteorological imaging.
Muon Space Company, based in Mountain View, California, developed its thermal sensors in partnership with the non-profit organization Earth Fire Alliance. They plan to deploy the FireSat constellation in low Earth orbit to monitor wildfires and other events. The US Space Force is currently evaluating, whether such commercial systems can meet defense needs.
Source: https://spacenews.com