WASHINGTON -- Startup Turion Space has secured a $32.6 million contract from the U.S. Space Force to launch three small satellites aimed at monitoring and tracking objects such as space debris.
This contract is part of a Strategic Financing Initiative (STRATFI) agreement from SpaceWERX, the Space Force's technology innovation arm, which combines government funding with private investment to expedite the development and deployment of commercial space systems.
Initially announced in August, the formal contract was awarded on December 18. Based in Irvine, California, Turion Space specializes in satellite technology and software solutions for space situational awareness, debris removal, and various in-orbit services. The company previously received Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contracts from SpaceWERX and NASA to enhance its technology.
Under the STRATFI agreement, Turion Space plans to launch three small satellites in 2026 and 2027, as confirmed by CEO and co-founder Ryan Westerdahl. These satellites will operate in both low Earth orbit (LEO) and geostationary orbit (GEO), equipped with payloads for space surveillance and debris tracking.
Westerdahl stated that the satellites will feature commercial optical communication terminals for high-data-rate, real-time command and control. “Each vehicle will carry three space domain awareness payloads and a long-range imager for non-Earth imaging,” he noted, suggesting that users prepare for a live debris capture feed via Apple's mixed-reality headset, the Apple Vision Pro.
Turion Space launched its first small satellite, Droid.001, in June 2023, designed for space situational awareness. The data collected by Droid.001 has been integrated into the Space Force's Unified Data Library, a centralized repository for commercial and government data. The new STRATFI contract will allow Turion to scale its technology for more complex missions and operational scenarios.
The Space Force contract emphasizes demonstrating rendezvous and proximity operations, crucial for potential debris removal missions that necessitate precise maneuvering near other space objects.