MARIETTA, GA — A first-of-its-kind protective shield developed by a Marietta-based company is scheduled to make its debut in space aboard a SpaceX rocket Tuesday after the launch was postponed from Monday morning.

The technology, called Space Armor, was created by Atomic-6 to protect critical satellite equipment from high-speed space debris too small to be detected by tracking systems.

Trevor Smith, founder and CEO of Atomic-6, says the protective tiles function similarly to a bulletproof vest, shielding satellite hardware from particles traveling at thousands of miles per hour.

“Things that are three millimeters or less, it’s called untrackable. All of the untrackable debris constitutes over 90% of the debris in low Earth orbit,” Smith said.

Space Armor is made from a proprietary material that provides protection while allowing radio frequencies to pass through, making it suitable for shielding satellite communications equipment.

“We actually had developed a structure that can protect from debris while still allowing for RF-transmission through it. So this will be the first ever radome in space which is super cool because we built it right here in Atlanta,” Smith said.

The company tested the technology in a specialized laboratory using projectiles traveling at speeds designed to replicate conditions in space.

“It goes from 0 to about 17 thousand miles an hour and about 16 feet. At that speed you can go from Atlanta to Los Angeles in about five minutes,” Smith said.

Smith explained that the material is specifically designed to withstand high-velocity space debris rather than conventional bullets.

“This does not work for terrestrial bullets, they actually move too slow. I actually shot it with a nine millimeter at a gun range and the bullet went right through,” Smith said.

The satellite Space Armor will protect is also making its debut. Its highly maneuverable design allows it to perform a range of functions but also makes it more vulnerable to smaller debris that cannot be tracked or avoided.

Smith says the protective shield can be customized in size and level of protection depending on a satellite’s needs.

The mission is expected to last one year, during which the company will be able to monitor Space Armor’s performance in orbit.

The SpaceX launch was originally scheduled for Monday morning but has been postponed to Tuesday.

WSB Radio’s Ashley Simmons & Graham Carroll contributed to this story.