Atomic-6 wins $2M Space Force contract

Marietta-based aerospace startup Atomic-6 has won a $2 million Tactical Funding Increase from the U.S. Space Force Space Systems Command to mature and flight qualify the Light Wing solar array for commercial and defense sectors.

The company also announced that former ISS Commander Chris Hadfield has joined its advisory board to accelerate the technology's path to market.

The 21-month TACFI grant will involve composite coupon testing, cell compatibility demonstration and Thermal Vacuum and Vibe testing to prove the Light Wing's ability to survive launch and operate in space. The all-composite, lightweight, redeployable satellite power system delivers over four times more power per kilogram than existing arrays, enabling energy-intensive operations such as orbital compute, high-bandwidth communications and human habitation space stations.

As testament to the Light Wing's reliability, Lloyd's of London specialist space insurance broker Price Forbes, is working with insurers to help familiarize them with the technology, so that companies using the array receive preferential technical analysis. The arrays are less likely to face the number one cause of premature satellite mortality: deployment failure, which is a risk mitigant that could have a positive effect in relation to the insurer's premium rating.

Revolutionizing solar array deployment, the Light Wing's simple, low-part-count architecture and monostable composite hinges deliver reliability. This unique design enables new frontiers in Rendezvous, Proximity Operations and Docking maneuvers, allowing arrays to retract and redeploy as needed throughout a satellite's operational lifespan.

The company has already generated $2.7 billion in contract requests from major constellation operators. The Light Wing was also just selected by Sidus Space to power the world's first lunar data centers, a commercial-first initiative in partnership with Lonestar Data Holdings, proving their readiness for deep-space defense applications such as secure orbital compute, ISR and survivability in harsh environments.

Atomic-6 specializes in manufacturing composite components with the highest possible strength-to-weight ratio for aerospace, autonomy and defense applications. Led by material scientists and engineers with proprietary manufacturing processes, the company builds solutions for mobility companies operating in extreme environments.

For more information, visit atomic-6.com.