Solstar Space Validates In-Orbit Wi-Fi During NASA Proximity Operations Demonstration

Solstar Space demonstrated in-space Wi-Fi technology using its Deke Space Communicator during a recent rendezvous and proximity operations mission involving a NASA cubesat and a Momentus spacecraft. The demonstration relayed mission data, including imagery and sensor readings, back to NASA Johnson Space Center through experimental use of the Iridium network. Solstar released details of the demonstration this week.

The Deke Space Communicator, carried aboard the Momentus Vigoride-7 vehicle, collected data from both a NASA cubesat and the Vigoride-7 itself. The NASA R5-S10 cubesat flew in formation with Vigoride-7, performing proximity operations and capturing imagery of the orbital service vehicle to assess its health and performance.

During the 30-minute proximity mission, the Solstar communications payload collected more than 2,300 files, including images and optical, infrared, and LiDAR sensor data. Deke gathered data from the NASA cubesat while onboard the Vigoride using Wi-Fi transmission in space, then relayed that data back to Earth. A photo of the Momentus Vigoride-7 vehicle, taken by the NASA cubesat during the demonstration, was transmitted by the Deke Space Communicator.

For Solstar, the mission validated its communications technology during RPO operations and signals that it could support more complex missions such as servicing in the future. Founder and CEO Brian Barnett said the program shows how Solstar's technology can help spacecraft stay connected and deliver critical mission data in near real-time to flight controllers, space operators, and mission operations engineers, laying the groundwork for more capable and coordinated activity in space.

Solstar has not named further milestones for the technology beyond the demonstrated capability to support servicing and more complex coordinated missions in the future.