The collaboration focuses on integrating sensor systems directly into the flight path of Virgin Galactic vehicles. By capturing environmental data during active missions, the Air Force aims to better protect space-based infrastructure from the unpredictable effects of radiation and atmospheric fluctuations. Shaun Ard, a senior research chemist at the laboratory, noted that high-quality, consistent observations at these specific altitudes have historically remained difficult to scale.

This project follows a similar research agreement signed late last year with the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. By utilizing commercial spaceflight as a dedicated testing platform, the military hopes to secure a stream of empirical data that ground-based and orbital equipment currently struggle to provide.