Solstar Space is a commercial space-based connectivity company that pioneers persistent communication services for on-orbit assets like satellites, space stations, and launch vehicles. They develop space-ready WiFi solutions, including WiFi access points and satellite transceivers, facilitating a secure internet connection between spacecraft and Earth. Solstar's services support commercial space companies, international space agencies like NASA, and government/aerospace entities, enabling crew communications, payload integration, and remote operations in LEO, lunar orbit, and on the lunar surface. Key partners include Momentus, with plans to demonstrate on-orbit WiFi connectivity using Solstar's Deke Space Communicator on a SpaceX rideshare mission in 2026.
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Solstar is preparing to launch a communications payload on the upcoming Vigoride-7 mission planned for SpaceX’s rideshare mission in February.
The launch will demonstrate Solstar’s Deke Space Communicator in Low-Earth Orbit for the first time.
Momentus will utilize the Solstar service as a preferred partner and make it available to other customers.
Solstar Space was awarded a NASA Phase I Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract valued at $150,000 to develop a next-generation Lunar Wi-Fi Access Point (LWIFI-AP).
The Solstar LWIFI-AP will provide hardware engineered for radiation tolerance, thermal survivability, and low-SWaP constraints.
The space qualified Solstar LWIFI-AP will fill a key technology gap for NASA and its network of Artemis and CLPS contractors.
The NASA SBIR contract with Solstar will support the development of a commercial product meeting space qualification and environmental hardening needed for mission-critical operations.
Solstar's LWIFI-AP is designed to operate in extreme lunar conditions and enable robust communications between astronauts, robotic systems, and lunar vehicles.
In 2018, Solstar Space sent technology on a Blue Origin New Shepard mission, resulting in the first commercial tweet from space.
Solstar is collaborating with Momentus in 2026 to demonstrate what they claim will be the first commercial WiFi hotspot in low Earth orbit.
NASA awarded Solstar Space a $150,000 SBIR Phase 1 contract to design a lunar WiFi access point for CLPS and Artemis missions.
Solstar is designing a proprietary operating system to enable long-distance IT fixes for the lunar WiFi network.
Solstar Space is building a WiFi network on the Moon to support the future lunar economy.
Solstar's WiFi technology must survive extreme temperatures, lunar dust, and high levels of radiation in deep space.
In 2023, AFWERX awarded Solstar a $1,250,000 SBIR Phase 2 contract to continue development of the Deke Space Communicator.
Solstar developed and built the Deke Space Communicator using private investment and Small Business Innovation Research funding.
Under an AFWERX SBIR announced in May, Solstar is developing radiation-hardened Wi‑Fi access points and client Wi‑Fi Network Cards to support rendezvous, proximity operations, and docking for in-space servicing, assembly, and manufacturing applications.
Solstar is designing the Continuous Spacecraft System Communications Wideband unit, known as the Slayton Space Communicator, under a $1,250,000 AFWERX SBIR Phase 2 contract announced in April.
Solstar Space has been selected by AFWERX for an SBIR Phase I contract worth $74,752 to address challenges for the Department of the Air Force to connect spacecraft in LEO and beyond.
Solstar WiFi access points and client cards are being designed as software-defined and to support all IEEE 802.11 standards with API-based remote management and updates.