Revolutionizing Space Exploration with Turion Space’s Autonomous Docking and Maneuvering System

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

Turion’s co-founder and CEO, Ryan Westerdahl, stated in an interview that the company’s ultimate goal is to provide a debris removal service. However, for now, Turion is concentrating on hosting space domain awareness payloads to generate consistent revenue. The company offers three payload hosting options: Droid Alpha Mini, Droid Alpha, and Droid Alpha Enhanced Mobility with ion thrusters.

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

So far, Turion Space has secured nearly $20 million in venture capital with Westerdahl stating that they plan to continue seeking funding to further develop their technology and expand their operations into new markets beyond just space situational awareness payloads.

Westerdahl who was previously a propulsion engineer at SpaceX founded Turion Space along with Tyler James Pierce and Patryk Wiatr in 2020.

The contract between SpaceWERX and Turion aims at revolutionizing space exploration by creating an autonomous system that can tackle uncooperative space objects and help remove inactive satellites from orbit.

Turion’s focus on non-Earth imaging has led them to develop innovative solutions that are helping them gain traction in the industry. Their first satellite was launched successfully earlier this year and data collected from it is already being used by the Space Force.

With their next launch coming up soon, Turion is set to continue pushing boundaries of what’s possible in space exploration while generating consistent revenue through hosting space domain awareness payloads.

Overall, Turion’s success as a startup has been remarkable due to their innovative solutions combined with strong leadership from their founder Ryan Westerdahl who has a background in propulsion engineering at SpaceX.