Contract supports product development for continuous spacecraft communications solution engineered to eliminate communications blackout periods and provide persistent connectivity for space assets

April 3, 2024 – SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO, USA – Solstar Space (Solstar), the company making space Wi-Fi available, announces it has been selected by AFWERX for a SBIR Phase II contract in the amount of $1,248,735 to address pressing challenges for the Department of the Air Force (DAF). The contract supports development of Solstar’s Continuous Spacecraft System Communications Wideband (CSSC-WB) unit, known as the Slayton Space Communicator (Slayton). Slayton provides high-speed downlink and uplink communication capabilities designed to significantly increase connectivity with people and spacecraft operating in low earth orbit (LEO) while minimizing communications blackout periods caused by limited ground station links.

“Slayton Space Communicators will provide crucial near real time access to large data files like remote sensing images and video. As LEO becomes increasingly congested, it is imperative that the U.S. Space Force (USSF) has complete situational awareness,” says Brian Barnett, CEO, Solstar Space. “Slayton will provide reliable wideband connectivity with space assets to ensure resilient data delivery,” continues Barnett.

“Slayton revolutionizes in-orbit communications by offering commercial wideband satellite services in space leveraging operational and emerging wideband commercial satellite networks in MEO and LEO. This technology is central to meeting USAF operational imperatives,” says Brian Barnett.

To learn more about Solstar and the Slayton Space Communicator, visit https://www.solstarspace.com/.

The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Department of the Air Force, the Department of Defense, or the U.S. government.

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Media Inquiries | Lisa Dreher | lisa@solstarspace.com | +1 425-442-1301

Investor Inquiries | Brian Barnett | barnett@solstarspace.com | +1 505-389-2299

Business Inquiries | Brian Barnett | barnett@solstarspace.com | +1 505-389-2299

ABOUT SOLSTAR SPACE

Solstar Space is the leading commercial space-based connectivity company pioneering the use of persistent communications services for all types of on-orbit assets including satellites, space stations, launch vehicles, and more. We provide an internet connection between spacecraft and Earth-based payload managers, satellite operators, and enable communications for crewed missions in sub-orbit, LEO, and cis-lunar and lunar surface operations.

Our fast, reliable services, space-tested routers, WiFi access points and hotspots, and space-based satellite data relays are being developed to deliver on-orbit connectivity and are supported by 24/7 customer care. These devices are installed on satellites and spacecraft prior to launch to keep crew, spacecraft, and Earth-based satellite operations teams connected. Visit https://www.solstarspace.com. 

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About SpaceWERX

As the innovation arm of the U.S. Space Force and a unique division within AFWERX, SpaceWERX inspires and empowers collaboration with innovators to accelerate capabilities and shape our future in space. Headquartered in Los Angeles, SpaceWERX employs 40 military, civilian and contractor personnel executing an annual $457 million budget. Additionally, SpaceWERX partners with Space Systems Command’s Commercial Space Office (COMSO) as a collaborative program. Since it was aligned under AFRL in Aug. 2021, SpaceWERX has executed 906 contracts worth more than $690 million to strengthen the U.S. defense industrial base and drive faster technology transition to operational capability. For more information, visit spacewerx.us.

About Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL)

The Air Force Research Laboratory is the primary scientific research and development center for the Department of the Air Force. AFRL plays an integral role in leading the discovery, development, and integration of affordable warfighting technologies for our air, space and cyberspace force. With a workforce of more than 12,500 across nine technology areas and 40 other operations across the globe, AFRL provides a diverse portfolio of science and technology ranging from fundamental to advanced research and technology development. For more information, visit www.afresearchlab.com.

About AFWERX
As the innovation arm of the DAF and a directorate within the Air Force Research Laboratory, AFWERX brings cutting-edge American ingenuity from small businesses and start-ups to address the most pressing challenges of the DAF. AFWERX employs approximately 370 military, civilian and contractor personnel at five hubs and sites executing an annual $1.4 billion budget. Since 2019, AFWERX has executed 6,028 new contracts worth more than $4 billion to strengthen the U.S. defense industrial base and drive faster technology transition to operational capability. For more information, visit:  www.afwerx.com.