Solstar Space, based in Santa Fe, New Mexico, is set to conduct the first spaceflight testing of its narrowband satellite data-relay transceiver next year. The test signifies the culmination of more than 10 years of work by the company to enhance the technical readiness level of the Critical Data Relay Spacecraft Operational Status unit, known as the Deke Space Communicator.
Once integrated with a spacecraft’s telemetry, tracking and commanding system, the Deke Space Communicator will provide satellite operators with “a persistent two-way satellite internet link between your spacecraft and the ground,” stated Solstar CEO Brian Barnett in an interview with SpaceNews. “If an operator has multiple spacecraft in low-Earth orbit with the Deke Space Communicator, they could talk space-to-space as well.”
Solstar developed and built the Deke Space Communicator with private investment and Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) funding. In 2023, AFWERX awarded SolStar a $1.25 million SBIR Phase 2 contract to further develop the Deke Space Communicator.
Under another AFWERX SBIR announced in May, Solstar is working on radiation-hardened Wi-Fi access points and client Wi-Fi Network Cards to support rendezvous, proximity operations and docking for applications such as in-space servicing, assembly and manufacturing.
“Payloads, instruments and anything that’s Wi-Fi enabled onboard spacecraft can communicate through the Wi-Fi hotspot,” explained Barnett.
Solstar has successfully demonstrated its Wi-Fi-in-space technology on two Blue Origin New Shepard suborbital capsules and an Up Aerospace rocket. Communications are relayed through major satellite communications networks, as per Barnett.
Beyond the Deke Space Communicator, Solstar is designing the Continuous Spacecraft System Communications Wideband unit, known as the Slayton Space Communicator, under a $1.25 million AFWERX SBIR Phase 2 contract announced in April. This unit is intended to provide customers with high-speed downlinks and uplinks.