Turion Space, a startup based in Irvine, California, has been awarded a $32.6 million contract by the U.S. Space Force to deploy three small satellites aimed at enhancing space surveillance capabilities.
The contract falls under the Strategic Financing Initiative (STRATFI) agreement, part of SpaceWERX, which seeks to match government funds with private investment to advance commercial space technologies. This significant investment was formally approved on December 18, following an initial announcement in August. Turion Space specializes in developing satellites and software for space situational awareness and debris removal, having previously secured Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contracts from both SpaceWERX and NASA.
The newly awarded contract will see Turion Space develop three small satellites scheduled for launch in 2026 and 2027. According to Ryan Westerdahl, the company’s CEO and co-founder, these satellites will operate in both low Earth orbit (LEO) and geostationary orbit (GEO). They are equipped with advanced commercial optical communication terminals to ensure real-time command and control capabilities, which are crucial for the mission.
Westerdahl further explained that each satellite will carry three payloads designed for space domain awareness, alongside a long-range imager intended for non-Earth imaging. He humorously suggested that audiences “Get your Apple Vision Pro ready for live debris capture feed,” highlighting the advanced capabilities expected from this mission.
Turion’s first satellite, Droid.001, launched in June 2023, demonstrated space situational awareness and contributed its findings to the Space Force’s Unified Data Library, which compiles commercial and government data into a central repository. The current STRATFI contract enables Turion to expand its technology for more complex operations, particularly focusing on the demonstration of rendezvous and proximity operations—skills essential for potential debris removal missions. These operations demand precise maneuvering near other objects in space, thus presenting a significant technological challenge.
This contract represents a substantial step forward for Turion Space, allowing the company to leverage its expertise in satellite technology for national security purposes. The collaboration with the U.S. Space Force is expected to strengthen the nation’s capabilities in space domain awareness, potentially leading to more safe and sustainable operations in Earth’s orbits.
Source: Spacenews
