SpaceX to Test Startup’s Next-Gen ‘Space Armor’ in Orbit This Year

Georgia-based startup Atomic-6 is set to redefine space protection technology with its innovative Space Armor tiles. These tiles are designed to protect spacecraft, satellites, and astronauts from high-speed debris in orbit. The company is preparing for its first in-orbit demonstration aboard a SpaceX mission later this year.

Space Armor: A New Era of Space Debris Protection

Atomic-6’s Space Armor tiles will debut on Portal Space Systems’ spacecraft, launching as part of SpaceX’s Transporter-18 mission in October. This mission marks a significant shift from outdated protective technology, particularly the Whipple shield, a design from the 1940s.

Advancements in Technology

The Space Armor tiles are developed under a $1.2 million Small Business Innovation Research grant from the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force. Unlike traditional metal shields, Space Armor tiles are lightweight, compact, and specially designed to minimize secondary debris production upon impact.

• Space Armor Lite: Effective against particles up to 3 mm in diameter.
• Space Armor Max: Can withstand impacts from debris up to 12.5 mm.

The majority of space debris in low Earth orbit is about 3 mm in size, making it difficult to track and avoid. For instance, in November 2025, a minute piece of debris damaged China’s Shenzhou-20 spacecraft, highlighting the risks posed by small orbital particles.

Upcoming Test and Future Applications

The SpaceX mission will offer the first chance to observe the Space Armor tiles in the harsh conditions of space. Portal Space Systems plans to monitor the tiles closely during the mission.

Atomic-6’s CEO, Trevor Smith, expressed optimism: “I hope they get struck, but get struck in the tile, and we get it on camera.” This approach aims to gather data on the technology’s performance, including telemetry to confirm that no vital systems are damaged during impacts.

Beyond protecting spacecraft, Atomic-6 is exploring other applications for Space Armor. Potential uses include offering protection for astronaut suits during spacewalks and providing safety for payloads heading to the Moon.

The emergence of Space Armor symbolizes a critical advancement in tackling the ever-growing challenge of space debris. As the number of satellites continues to rise, innovative solutions like these are essential for ensuring the safety of missions in Earth’s orbit.