The company has developed this breakthrough technology designed to protect satellites and spacecraft from space debris and high-velocity impacts.
The funding boost, supported by matching investment from private backers, will enable Atomic-6 to transition Space Armor from prototype to a fully developed product line, offering enhanced protection options for both military and commercial space operators.
Space Armor is engineered to minimise shielding mass, stowage requirements, post-impact debris and overall mission risk while also offering radio frequency–permeable configurations to support communications-sensitive payloads.
The system is designed to safeguard satellites and orbital infrastructure from both micrometeoroid and kinetic weapon threats, an area of growing concern for defence agencies and policymakers.
A side-by-side impact test of a standard aluminium plate versus a Space Armor tile under hypervelocity conditions has demonstrated the technology’s superior ability to absorb and contain energy from debris collisions.
The innovation comes amid increasing awareness of the risks posed by the growing cloud of space debris. A recent NASA study found that investing in debris protection technologies could deliver economic benefits exceeding US$50 billion (AU$77 billion) over the next three decades by extending satellite lifespans and reducing replacement costs.
Atomic-6’s product line will include two levels of protection:
- Space Armor Lite: capable of withstanding debris impacts up to 3mm – covering more than 90 per cent of orbital debris in low-Earth orbit.
- Space Armor Max: designed to resist impacts up to 12.5mm, offering robust defence for critical assets.
This modular approach allows operators to tailor protection levels based on mission requirements and cost constraints.
Atomic-6 said the tactical funding increase will help the company meet growing demand for resilient, lightweight shielding solutions as global space activity intensifies.
“We’re committed to the safety, sustainability and performance of future space operations,” the company said in a statement.
“Space Armor represents a major step towards reducing mission risk and protecting vital space assets for defence, allies and the commercial sector alike.”