Atomic-6’s Space Armor tiles have been chosen by the spacecraft company Portal Space Systems as a Micrometeoroid and Orbital Debris (MMOD) protection system for its next spacecraft. MMOD protection helps shield critical spacecraft systems from the millions of debris particles that could strike them and end the mission by damaging the spacecraft.
The tiles will be installed prior to integration on SpaceX’s Transporter-18 Rideshare mission, scheduled to launch in October 2026 aboard a Falcon 9 rocket. This mission will be the first operational orbital deployment of the tiles and will therefore enable the system to be evaluated (installation procedures, in-orbit performance, best integration practices) in order to validate or reject other applications of this technology.
No emission of harmful secondary ejecta
The structure of Atomic-6’s Space Armor impact shielding tiles is entirely made of composites. This enables them to be lighter and more compact than legacy shielding ones, claims Atomic-6. They are available in two configurations depending on the debris size and can be radio frequency-permeable or -blocking, as desired. Besides, they stop debris without creating harmful secondary ejecta, which is not always the case with traditional MMOD systems, particularly those made of aluminium.
“Portal is pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in orbit, and they need protection that keeps up with their ambitions,” said Atomic-6 CEO, Trevor Smith. “These flights move Space Armor tiles from operational testing to real commercial use, and they demonstrate how quickly the industry can adopt better ways to survive in the harshest, most debris-filled operating environment while simultaneously helping to reduce the risk of Kessler syndrome [situation in which the density of objects in low Earth orbit becomes so high that collisions between these objects become exponential].
“Our customers rely on Portal spacecraft to remain maneuverable over extended mission timelines,” said Jeff Thornburg, CEO of Portal Space Systems. “That means protecting critical systems in a way that supports, rather than limits, on-orbit performance. By incorporating Atomic-6’s Space Armor tiles into our spacecraft, we’re expanding our ability to offer customers sustained maneuverability and longer operational time on orbit. We’re pleased to have Atomic-6 as part of the Starburst-1 mission.”
Cover photo: Side by side comparison of monolithic aluminum plate and Atomic-6’s Space Armor impact shielding tile during hypervelocity impact
source: Jec Composites
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