Deployed aboard Portal Space Systems’ Starburst-1 spacecraft on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, the technology is designed to protect spacecraft against micrometeoroids and orbital debris.
Atomic-6, a manufacturer of advanced composite materials, has announced the first launch of its Space Armor® technology into orbit aboard Portal Space Systems’ Starburst-1 spacecraft. Launched on October 21, 2026, as part of the Bandwagon-5 dedicated rideshare mission aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, the deployment marks the technology’s transition from ground-based hypervelocity testing to an operational space mission.
Space Armor Targets Orbital Debris Risks
Space Armor® is a composite shielding technology developed to protect critical spacecraft systems from potentially catastrophic impacts caused by micrometeoroids and orbital debris (MMOD).
The technology addresses growing concerns about orbital debris and the potential for cascading collisions, commonly associated with the Kessler Syndrome. This phenomenon could generate increasing amounts of debris, potentially making certain orbital regions difficult or unsafe to use for satellites and space missions.
According to Atomic-6, its Space Armor® tiles use a proprietary fibre-to-resin manufacturing method designed to provide impact resistance while maintaining low weight and radio-frequency (RF) transparency.
The company has also developed what it describes as the first composite radome offering both communications transparency and impact resilience. A radome is a protective enclosure that allows electromagnetic signals to pass through while shielding communication equipment.
“We’ve proven Space Armor® tiles can withstand debris traveling at extraordinary speeds without generating harmful secondary fragments,” said Trevor Smith, CEO of Atomic-6. “Now, we’re putting that technology to work aboard Portal’s Starburst-1, taking an important step toward scaling its deployment and making space safer and more sustainable.”
Composite Shielding Offers an Alternative to Metallic Protection
Space Armor® combines impact resistance, reduced mass and RF permeability to address spacecraft protection requirements. Potential applications include satellites, communication systems and future crewed spacecraft.
Compared with conventional metallic Whipple shields, Atomic-6 says its composite tiles are lighter, thinner and engineered to resist fragmentation during impacts. Reducing secondary fragments is an important consideration in orbital environments, where additional debris can pose risks to other spacecraft.
During ground-based hypervelocity testing, Space Armor® composite tiles reportedly stopped projectiles travelling at speeds exceeding 7 kilometres per second, equivalent to approximately 16,000 miles per hour, without producing harmful secondary debris.
In comparative testing described by the company, conventional aluminium shielding generated multiple fragments, some larger than the original projectile.
The technology’s first orbital deployment will provide an opportunity to advance its integration into spacecraft systems beyond laboratory-based testing.
Starburst-1 Mission to Evaluate Spacecraft Capabilities
Portal Space Systems’ Starburst-1 carried Space Armor® tiles on its first free-flying spacecraft mission with live payloads.
Designed for rapid manoeuvring within an orbital regime, Starburst-1 is intended to demonstrate capabilities supporting rendezvous and proximity operations, rapid retasking and significant orbital changes during its planned one-year primary mission.
The integration of Space Armor® introduces the composite shielding technology to a spacecraft operating in orbit, representing an important milestone for both companies.
“Protecting spacecraft from orbital debris matters to us and our customers, and we’re excited by Atomic-6’s approach to that challenge,” said Jeff Thornburg, co-founder and CEO of Portal Space Systems.
“Space Armor has the potential to add valuable protection to spacecraft while not affecting or hindering the performance our missions demand. Seeing the first tile reach orbit is a milestone deserving of celebration, and we’re proud to have been the vehicle to get them there.”
Collaboration to Support Future Spacecraft Integration
Atomic-6 and Portal Space Systems plan to use the experience gained from integrating Space Armor® tiles onto Starburst-1 to validate installation procedures and establish best practices for future spacecraft designs.
The collaboration is expected to inform how the technology can be incorporated into subsequent spacecraft platforms.
The initial deployment represents a step towards evaluating the practical integration of lightweight composite shielding in space applications. Its potential value lies in combining structural protection with communication compatibility while addressing the risks associated with orbital debris.
As spacecraft operators face the challenge of protecting increasingly valuable orbital assets, technologies designed to reduce impact damage and limit the creation of additional debris are attracting attention.
Atomic-6’s Space Armor® deployment aboard Starburst-1 marks its first move from ground-based testing into orbit, establishing a foundation for further evaluation of its application in spacecraft protection.