Solstar Space Awarded Over $1.2 Million U.S. Space Force AFWERX/AFVENTURES Phase II SBIR Contract for Deke Space Communicator

Solstar Space Awarded Over $1.2 Million U.S. Space Force AFWERX/AFVENTURES Phase II SBIR Contract for Deke Space Communicator

Solstar Space Awarded Over $1.2 Million U.S. Space Force AFWERX/AFVENTURES Phase II SBIR Contract for Deke Space Communicator
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The contract continues R&D for a flight-ready satellite data relay transceiver prototype which will provide a bi-directional and persistent commercial satellite data connection to space-based assets

September 6, 2023 – SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO, USA Solstar Space (Solstar), the company making space Wi-Fi available, today announced it will continue development of its Critical Data Relay Spacecraft Operational Status (CritDR-SOS), also known as the Deke Space Communicator (Deke), under a Phase II Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Contract valued at $1,249,269. Solstar’s small form-factor Deke integrates with a spacecraft’s Telemetry, Tracking and Commanding (TT&C) system to provide bi-directional, continuous, internet-based monitoring of the spacecraft’s bus, payload, and environment. It also allows for satellite connectivity with operators or end users utilizing robust commercial communications paths which will help eliminate spacecraft situational awareness gaps.

“Monitoring an endlessly growing number of satellites including commercially owned and operated mega-constellations is a top priority for the U.S. Space Force,” says Brian Barnett, CEO, Solstar Space. “With Solstar’s Deke, the Department of Air Force (DAF) can connect space assets which makes the communications network more resilient. This effort has the extended benefit of aligning with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) recent directive to have de-orbiting capability on-board all spacecraft which Deke facilitates,” continues Barnett.

“New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology (NMT) is developing a Spacecraft Health Monitor (SHM) that will connect to the Deke to send and receive spacecraft data. This will provide detailed spacecraft operating data and provide proactive alerts so any faults can be addressed efficiently,” says Dr. Andrei Zagrai, Professor at NMT.

“Deke enables narrowband communications for both uplink and downlink, decreasing the time it takes to download mission data or adjust on-orbit systems. It also enables 24/7 awareness of satellite health by combining the Solstar Deke along with New Mexico Tech’s Spacecraft Health Monitor,” says Brian Barnett.

To learn more about Solstar and the Deke 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 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 11,500 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
The innovation arm of the DAF and a directorate within AFRL. Brings cutting-edge American ingenuity from small businesses and start-ups to address the most pressing challenges of the DAF. Employs approximately 325 military, civilian and contractor personnel at five hubs and sites executing an annual $1.4B budget. Since 2019, has executed 4,671 contracts worth more than $2B to strengthen the U.S. defense industrial base and drive faster technology transition to operational capability. For more information, visit: www.afwerx.com

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“Wi-Fi didn’t really exist when they first started developing the space station, not the way it does today,” said new board member Anthony Colucci. “Wi-Fi that’s capable, equipment that’s capable to fly in space doesn’t exist. You can’t take the Wi-Fi box you buy down at Best Buy and take it up on a space station and expect it to work. It won’t. So you have to design it and build it, especially for that environment.”

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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 Space WiFi 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 and satellite operators, and enable communications for crewed missions in sub-orbit, LEO, 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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Space Industry Veteran, Tony Colucci, Joins Solstar Space Board of Directors

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Space Industry Veteran, Tony Colucci, Joins Solstar Space Board of Directors
Comments

With over 40 years of global satellite industry and new space startup experience, Colucci brings broad practical expertise and a pragmatic approach to Solstar Space Board.

July  13, 2023 – SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO, USA Solstar Space (Solstar), the company making persistent on-orbit WiFi and communications available, announced longtime Space Systems Loral (now Maxar), Hughes Aircraft Company (now Boeing), and SpaceLink Co-founder, Anthony J. (Tony) Colucci, has joined its Board of Directors.

“I am pleased to welcome Tony to Solstar’s Board of Directors. His background in space data relay networks, longstanding international satellite industry relationships, and knowledge of corporate governance are assets to Solstar’s Space WiFi initiative that began in 2018,” says Brian Barnett, CEO, Solstar Space.

“Space WiFi from Solstar is going to fundamentally improve the communications for humans working in space and aboard space-based assets like low Earth and lunar orbiting space stations and satellites, and landers, habitats, and rovers on the Moon’s surface. Connecting everything and everyone in space is a necessity for the sustainability, security, and future of our global space economy,” says Tony Colucci, Solstar Board of Directors.

Solstar, and its predecessor company SatWest, have provided commercial satellite internet services, tracking, and voice services on commercial and high-altitude jets, high-altitude balloons and sounding rockets. Solstar’s Space WiFi has been demonstrated twice aboard Blue Origin’s New Shepard crew capsule providing WiFi and satellite internet connectivity during suborbital flights. Solstar is working with commercial space companies, international space agencies and government organizations, and their contractors, to further the development and deployment of space WiFi and communicators for a broad range of use cases.

To learn more about Solstar, visit https://www.solstarspace.com/.

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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 Space WiFi 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 and satellite operators, and enable communications for crewed missions in sub-orbit, LEO, 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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Solstar Space Co., last year’s Inno Madness champion, lands contract to test space technology

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Last year, New Mexico Inno ran a competition called Inno Madness which pitted 16 New Mexico startups against one another in a bracket-style challenge. Readers voted on which startup should advance through each round of the competition and eventually settled on two — Albuquerque’s Build with Robots and Santa Fe’s Solstar Space Co.


Solstar Space Co. CEO Brian Barnett
Brian Barnett is CEO of Solstar Space Co., a Santa Fe-based company working on a pair of products to provide internet connectivity for astronauts in space.

A phase one technology transfer contract through the Department of the Air Force will help Santa Fe-based Solstar Space Co. test one of its new space connectivity products.

The company on Wednesday announced that it received the three-month, $75,000 contract to further its Slayton Space Communicator. It’s one of a few technologies currently under development by Solstar.

The Slayton product is essentially a broadband network device that allows constant high-speed uplink and downlink data relays on various space assets that range from satellites to space stations to lunar habitats.

 

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Solstar Space Awarded Phase I STTR Contract by Department of Air Force (DAF) in Partnership with AFWERX and SpaceWERX
Comments

Solstar’s Slayton satellite transceiver for persistent wideband payload communication between spacecraft and ground-based operators will be considered for Air Force, Space Force, and commercial use under the Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I initiative.

February 15, 2023 – SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO, USA Solstar Space (Solstar), the company making persistent on-orbit communications available, announced it was awarded a Phase I STTR contract by the Department of Air Force (DAF) to evaluate the company’s Slayton Space Communicator for high-speed data communications. Solstar Space is developing a flight-proven modular device for spacecraft integration capable of providing satellite operators near real-time command and control through a 24/7 high bandwidth downlink and uplink data relay known as the Slayton Space Communicator. Solstar has partnered Dr. Andrei Zagrai, a mechanical engineering professor at New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, for the initiative.

“The U.S. Space Force and DAF manages over 100 satellites that perform critical strategic missions without margin for error. Yet, the constellations are limited by the geographic location of ground stations and the various satellite orbital positions. The limited communications can lead to delayed mission commands to spacecraft or more serious consequences,” says Brian Barnett, CEO, Solstar Space. “With Slayton Space Communicators installed on spacecraft, immediate and consistent downlink of spacecraft health status and ranging data for situational awareness and real-time asset monitoring,” continues Barnett.

“New Mexico Tech (NMT) is collaborating with Solstar Space to leverage our structural health monitoring (SHM) unit. The SHM is aimed at improving situation awareness and reducing spacecraft operation costs. It has previously been demonstrated for use in damage detection in suborbital and orbital flight tests. We are looking forward to integrating our SHM solution with Solstar’s Slayton Space Communicators to provide proactive monitoring, management, and mission support for government and commercial spacecraft,” says Dr. Andrei Zagrai, Professor at New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology.

“Slayton enables high bandwidth communications for both uplink and downlink, decreasing the time it takes to download mission data or make adjustments to on-orbit systems,” says Brian Barnett.

“Slayton facilitates 24/7 monitoring, management, and mission instructions with on-orbits payloads through continuous and near real-time assessment of the payload’s performance,” explains Barnett.

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

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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

Follow us:  WeFunder | LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | Instagram

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