Solstar Space demonstrated in-space Wi-Fi technology with its Deke Space Communicator during a recent rendezvous and proximity (RPO) mission between a NASA cubesat and a Momentus spacecraft.
The Solstar Deke Space Communicator onboard the Momentus Vigoride-7 vehicle was used to collect mission data including imagery and telemetry from both a NASA cubesat and the Vigoride 7 and relay information back to NASA Johnson Space Center, through experimental use of the Iridium network. Solstar issued details on the demonstration this week.
During 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, according to NASA.
The Solstar communications payload collected more than 2,300 files during the 30-minute proximity mission, including images and optical, infrared, and LiDAR sensor data. Deke collected data from the NASA cubesat while onboard the Vigoride using Wi-Fi transmission in space, then relayed that data back to Earth.
For Solstar, the mission validated its communications technology during RPO operations, and signals it could support more complex missions like servicing in the future.
“This important 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,” commented founder and CEO Brian Barnett.
