Exotrail will supply spaceware propulsion to Muon Space. Photo: Exotrail

Muon Space selected Exotrail to supply five of its “spaceware” electric propulsion systems for the company’s climate monitoring constellation, the companies announced Aug. 24. 

Exotrail’s spaceware is a high-thrust, electric Hall-effect propulsion system designed to perform orbit raising and anomaly phasing, as well as orbit maintenance and collision avoidance. It will also deorbit spacecraft at the end of operational life.

Muon Space is a climate-focused startup based in California, founded by a remote sensing team with experience from JPL, Skybox Imaging, Loft Orbital, Ball Aerospace, and Apple. The company is building a climate-monitoring constellation that it says will provide increasing data sets to address geophysical and environmental applications.

This is Exotrail’s sixth U.S. contract signed this year. The company recently established a U.S. subsidiary and a U.S. government-focused subsidiary to address the U.S. market. 

Exotrail CEO Jean- Luc Maria commented on the deal: “[The Muon Space] 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.”