Muon Space is an American aerospace startup located in Silicon Valley, California. The company was founded in 2021 with the goal of building a climate-monitoring satellite constellation. By July 2023, the company had raised approximately $35 million in total funding to allow them to develop the technology to do so.[1][2]

Muon Space
Founded2021
Founder
  • Jonny Dyer
  • Dan McCleese
  • Paul Day
  • Reuben Rohrschneider
  • Pascal Stang
Key people
  • Jonny Dyer (CEO)
  • Paul Day (COO)

The company launched the first satellite of its constellation, dubbed MuSat-1, on June 12, 2023, on SpaceX's Transporter-8 rideshare mission aboard a Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base.[3] This first satellite weighs 70 kg and will demonstrate the technology developed by Muon for the other satellites in its constellation. In 2024, Muon Space is expecting to launch two more satellites, MuSat-2 and MuSat-3.[4]

Muon Space also has a program called Muon Halo, that is a service provided to customers who do not have the expertise to develop spacecraft, handle data processing and manage ground networks.[5] The first payloads to be sent to space under that program are expected to be launched in 2025 and 2026.[6] Muon Space received $60 million from paying customers to develop the systems required for these payloads.[7]

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References

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  1. ^ Dyer, Jonathan (January 21, 2022). "Startups to Watch: Muon Space heads to orbit to get eyes on climate change". American City Business Journals. Retrieved July 4, 2023.
  2. ^ Coldewey, Devin (2022-08-09). "Muon Space plans a 'turnkey solution' for custom Earth observation satellites". TechCrunch. Retrieved 2023-06-15.
  3. ^ Space, Muon. "Muon Space Proves Satellite Platform in Flight with Successful First Launch, Paving Way for Climate Constellation". www.prnewswire.com (Press release). Retrieved 2023-06-16.
  4. ^ Werner, Debra (2023-06-14). "Muon celebrates launch of first satellite in Climate Constellation". SpaceNews. Retrieved 2023-06-15.
  5. ^ Werner, Debra (2024-04-11). "Muon Space banks on Space as a Service". SpaceNews. Retrieved 2024-06-08.
  6. ^ Weltman, Abbey (2024-04-04). "Muon Space Wins Over $60M in Contracts for Muon Halo 10-Satellite Constellation". Via Satellite. Retrieved 2024-06-08.
  7. ^ Giammarino, Edoardo (2024-04-04). "Muon Space Launches Muon Halo and New $60 Million Contracts | Space Voyaging". Retrieved 2024-06-08.