Turion awarded Space Force contract for pioneering debris-capture technology

Turion Space, a startup based in Irvine, California, has been awarded a $1.9 million contract from SpaceWERX, the technology arm of the U.S. Space Force. The contract is aimed at developing an autonomous spacecraft docking and maneuvering system to engage uncooperative space objects and assist in deorbiting inactive satellites.

Ryan Westerdahl, the co-founder and CEO of Turion, stated in an interview that the company is focused on in-space mobility and non-Earth imaging. In June 2023, Turion launched its first satellite, Droid.001, which weighs 32 kilograms and is designed for space situational awareness. Data from this satellite is being utilized in the Space Force’s Unified Data Library.

Westerdahl disclosed plans for a demonstration by 2026, which will involve a Droid mothership hosting “micro-Droid” satellites equipped with a capturing device being developed under the SpaceWERX contract. These micro-Droids, partially funded by NASA, will use grapplers to capture debris objects.

Turion’s ultimate goal is to provide a debris removal service, but for now, the company is concentrating on hosting space domain awareness payloads to generate consistent revenue. Turion intends to offer three payload hosting options: Droid Alpha Mini, Droid Alpha, and Droid Alpha Enhanced Mobility with ion thrusters.

The company’s next satellite launch, set for February, will showcase the larger Droid Alpha bus. Westerdahl anticipates that by 2027, Turion will be manufacturing 45 satellites yearly. The enhanced mobility ion thrusters will be co-produced with Desert Works Propulsion, a specialist in electric propulsion for space applications.

So far, Turion Space has secured nearly $20 million in venture capital. Westerdahl, who is a former SpaceX propulsion engineer, founded Turion Space in 2020 alongside Tyler James Pierce and Patryk Wiatr.