Atomic-6 Space Armor® To Fly Aboard SpaceX

Atomic-6 shot a 3mm particle into its Space Armor® tile to simulate untrackable debris. Traveling at Low Earth Orbit (LEO) speeds of 7.2 km/s, this test proved both protection and no harmful secondary debris was created (Photo: Atomic-6, Inc.)
Marietta, Ga.-based Atomic-6 announced that Portal Space Systems has selected its Space Armor® tiles as the primary Micrometeoroid and Orbital Debris (MMOD) protection system for an upcoming spacecraft launching on SpaceX’s Transporter 18 Rideshare mission in October 2026.

The mission marks the first operational orbital deployment of Space Armor®, validating its use in commercial and national security applications. “Portal is pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in orbit, and they need protection that keeps up with their ambitions,” said Trevor Smith, CEO of Atomic-6.

“Our customers rely on Portal spacecraft to remain maneuverable over extended timelines,” added Jeff Thornburg, CEO of Portal Space Systems. “Incorporating Atomic-6’s Space Armor® tiles expands our ability to deliver sustained on-orbit performance.”

Lighter and thinner than traditional metallic shields, Space Armor® tiles offer fragmentation resistance, RF permeability and scalable debris protection for spacecraft systems.

2026 Quarterly Issue I

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