Satellite constellation manufacturing is accelerating as Muon Space, a fast-growing provider of end-to-end space systems, announces $146M in Series B funding. The company will use the new capital to expand satellite production, integrate propulsion technology, and scale its global infrastructure.
Balancing speed, cost, and custom mission requirements for satellite operators is a high-stakes challenge. As the demand for high-performance constellations increases, especially in commercial and defence sectors, providers need more than single-satellite delivery models. Muon Space says its vertically integrated approach offers an industrial-scale alternative, unlocking faster delivery, improved mission performance, and greater resilience across the space value chain.
Satellite constellation production, integration, and AI-driven operations
The latest funding round includes $89.5M in Series B1, of $44.5M in equity and $45M in credit facilities. This brings Muon’s total Series B to $146M. The round, led by Congruent Ventures, included Activate Capital, Acme Capital, Costanoa Ventures, and Radical Ventures. New investor ArcTern Ventures also joined the syndicate.
Since December, Muon has grown its team by 50% and signed over $100M in contracts in 2024, including a significant deal with Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) to develop next-generation satellites for the Vindlér RF sensing constellation. CEO Jonny Dyer commented, “We’re focused on delivering mission-optimised satellite constellation systems to customers at unprecedented speed. High-performance constellations require volume production’s speed, cost, consistency, and performance – they can’t be built one satellite at a time.”
Backing that scale-up is a new 130,000-square-foot facility in San Jose, California. Designed for full vertical integration, the site includes 70,000 square feet of manufacturing space and 30,000 square feet of cleanroom environments. This allows Muon to support the production of up to 500 satellites per year in the 100–500kg class. A 300kW solar array powers most operations, and the site meets UL 2050 security standards, supporting both commercial and defence missions.
Tech to strengthen supply chains and reduce risk
Muon also acquired propulsion startup Starlight Engines, founded in 2022 by Todd Bailey and Mark Hopkins, two propulsion veterans. Based on a solid-state, zinc-fuelled Hall-effect thruster, Starlight’s system replaces xenon or krypton propellants and eliminates high-pressure fluid systems. This makes integration simpler, lowers costs, and improves availability.
Paul Day, VP of Spacecraft Production at Muon Space, said, “Propulsion remains one of the most persistent cost and supply chain challenges in satellite manufacturing. What Todd and Mark have achieved at Starlight is a fundamentally more elegant and practical solution – solid-state, scalable, throttleable, and safer to handle.”
By bringing Starlight’s technology in-house, Muon adds in-built propulsion to its modular Halo satellite platform. Integration is already underway as the company accelerates deliveries.
Joshua Posamentier, Managing Partner at Congruent Ventures, added, “Muon is building the high-performance scale solution the space industry has been missing. By fulfilling mission requirements with a configurable, vertically integrated platform spanning hardware, software, and operations, they deliver a unique path to on-orbit capabilities – at a pace and price point that commercial, civil and national security customers urgently need.”
Founding team brings deep space and propulsion expertise
Aerospace engineers Jonny Dyer, Paul Day, McCleese, Reuben Rohrschneider, and Pascal Stang founded Muon Space. CEO Jonny Dyer previously held a senior engineering role at Google (Geo HW Lead), but not at Google X or Planet Labs. Paul Day, now VP of Spacecraft Production, has worked on space system integration in both the private and public sectors.
The three founders, each with experience in propulsion, mission control, and large-scale space operations, met through collaborative work in Silicon Valley’s aerospace circles. With shared expertise in scalable hardware design and a vision for vertically integrated satellite systems, they launched Muon Space in 2021 to address long-standing gaps in satellite production capacity and customisation.
The road ahead for satellite constellation manufacturing
Muon Space is now focused on expanding delivery timelines, scaling production at its San Jose facility, and deepening integration across its Halo platform. By combining advanced propulsion, manufacturing automation, and mission-ready software, the company aims to cut lead times while offering customisable satellites for commercial, civil, and defence operators.
As the market for satellite constellations grows more competitive, with players like Planet, Icey, and Spire among those building or operating global networks, Muon’s focus on high-mix, high-volume production could set it apart.
As CEO Jonny Dyer put it, “It’s always been about the mission – now we’re delivering it at scale.”
