Exotrail and Muon Space have inked their first contract for the supply of electric propulsion systems for the next phase of Muon Space’s climate monitoring constellation.
Muon Space, a climate satellite company revolutionizing the way Earth is monitored from space, has selected Exotrail, the end-to-end space mobility solutions provider, to supply five of its spacewareTM electric propulsion systems to propel the next generation of its ESPA-class spacecraft currently in development at Muon Space’s manufacturing facility in Mountain View, California. These units are part of the next phase of Muon Space’s Climate Constellation, which will use a new generation of sensors to monitor Earth’s climate and ecosystems.
Muon Space spacecraft will use Exotrail’s high thrust spacewareTM- micro propulsion product to perform orbit raising and anomaly phasing, as well as orbit maintenance and collision avoidance. Exotrail’s spacewareTM product will additionally enable efficient spacecraft deorbiting at the end of operational life.
This mission sequence, which is becoming a standard concept of operations for operators in low Earth orbit (LEO), will leverage the full capability of the spacewareTM – micro propulsion system, including optimized deployment as well as sustainable use of space and respect of the national and international regulations and good practices. Exotrail’s spacewareTM portfolio, with nano, micro, mini and cluster product configurations, is a flexible, high-thrust electric Hall-effect propulsion system for satellites ranging from 10 to 1,000 kg. With its high thrust capability and modularity, spacewareTM drastically improves satellite deployment, increases service performance, and helps reduce space pollution.
“We are very excited to work with Exotrail for our first constellation,” said Paul Day, COO of Muon Space. “We are confident in Exotrail’s capability to deliver the modules on time and with the right level of quality for our missions. With its industrial ramp-up, we see Exotrail as a strong partner that will enable our constellation deployment.” This is Exotrail’s sixth U.S. contract signed this year, highlighting Exotrail’s momentum in the region. It follows Exotrail’s recent announcement of the establishment of two U.S. offices – Exotrail U.S. Inc., and Exotrail U.S. Federal Inc., to address this fast-growing market.
“The Exotrail team is extremely happy and proud to be chosen by Muon Space,” said Jean- Luc Maria, Exotrail’s CEO. “Their climate monitoring mission is well aligned with Exotrail’s
core values of sustainability and the virtuous use of space, as well as environmental awareness. Through this partnership, Muon Space and Exotrail are addressing two significant challenges facing humanity today: climate change and minimizing space debris!”
About Exotrail
Exotrail is an end-to-end space mobility operator. The company offers customers the ability to define their space mobility needs with the spacestudioTM mission analysis software, meet those needs with spacewareTM onboard propulsion systems and spacedropTM in-space mobility services, and operate their solutions with the spacetowerTM software. This complete mobility offering called mobilityhubTM allows satellites to optimize their deployment, increase their service performance, and reduce space pollution. Exotrail was incorporated in 2017 and has secured over 70M€ of funding. The company has more than 20 customers in North America, Europe and Asia. Exotrail’s team is expanding quickly and consists, as of today, of more than 130 passionate people operating out of two locations in France: Toulouse and Massy (suburb of Paris), and Portland, OR and Boston, MA in the USA.
More information: https://www.exotrail.com/
Press contact: Shireen Lenormand – shireen.lenormand@exotrail.com – +33 (0)6 38 94 54 78
About Muon Space
Founded in 2021, Muon Space is launching a new generation of smallsats and sensors to monitor Earth’s climate and ecosystems with unprecedented fidelity. Muon Space’s state-of-the-art facility in the heart of Silicon Valley is optimized for manufacturing spacecraft and integrating payloads at scale. Regular launches beginning in June, 2023 provide ever- increasing data sets addressing important geophysical and environmental applications and a platform to deliver new technologies to space. Muon Space’s experienced science and engineering teams are uniquely suited to deliver the most exquisite and reliable remote sensing solutions at the speed and scale required to address our most urgent climate challenges
More information on Muon Space, visit: https://www.muonspace.com/ Press contact: Sarah Nickell Communications for Muon Space – sarah@nickellcommunications.com.
