Jun 15, 2026 08:35 PM
https://www.supercluster.com/editorial/c...e-reusable
EXCERPT: Lux Aeterna’s Delphi demonstration mission, scheduled to launch in early 2027, will attempt to demonstrate what the future of reusable satellites might look like. The 200-kilogram satellite is fitted with a conical heat shield that will protect the spacecraft during the fiery return to Earth.
Taylor said that Lux Aeterna has tested the heat shield in cooperation with NASA ahead of the launch next year. During the test flight, Delphi will host a range of customer payloads, which will spend three months in space inside the spacecraft before splashing down to the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Australia.
The company has recently raised an oversubscribed $10 million seed round, which is enough to complete the mission, the company said.
UK-based Space Forge is also looking into returnable satellites. And although the company’s primary focus is on in-orbit manufacturing, its representatives have previously said that reusable satellites could help in the future slash the environmental impact of satellite re-entries.
California-based Arkysis wants to develop a network of orbital Ports — robotic space garages offering refueling and maintenance for satellites in orbit. Next year, the company plans to launch its demonstration space tug called the Cutter, designed to deliver spare parts, fuel, and broken spacecraft to the Port for repairs and upgrades.
Orbit Fab, headquartered in Colorado, is working on a network of orbital fuel depots and fuel shuttles intended to extend the lifetime of satellites beyond the limitations imposed by the size of their fuel tanks. The company launched a demonstration mission in 2021 and may conduct another by the end of 2026.
But analysts warn that weaning the space industry off its one-use-only mentality may not be that simple... (MORE - details)
EXCERPT: Lux Aeterna’s Delphi demonstration mission, scheduled to launch in early 2027, will attempt to demonstrate what the future of reusable satellites might look like. The 200-kilogram satellite is fitted with a conical heat shield that will protect the spacecraft during the fiery return to Earth.
Taylor said that Lux Aeterna has tested the heat shield in cooperation with NASA ahead of the launch next year. During the test flight, Delphi will host a range of customer payloads, which will spend three months in space inside the spacecraft before splashing down to the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Australia.
The company has recently raised an oversubscribed $10 million seed round, which is enough to complete the mission, the company said.
UK-based Space Forge is also looking into returnable satellites. And although the company’s primary focus is on in-orbit manufacturing, its representatives have previously said that reusable satellites could help in the future slash the environmental impact of satellite re-entries.
California-based Arkysis wants to develop a network of orbital Ports — robotic space garages offering refueling and maintenance for satellites in orbit. Next year, the company plans to launch its demonstration space tug called the Cutter, designed to deliver spare parts, fuel, and broken spacecraft to the Port for repairs and upgrades.
Orbit Fab, headquartered in Colorado, is working on a network of orbital fuel depots and fuel shuttles intended to extend the lifetime of satellites beyond the limitations imposed by the size of their fuel tanks. The company launched a demonstration mission in 2021 and may conduct another by the end of 2026.
But analysts warn that weaning the space industry off its one-use-only mentality may not be that simple... (MORE - details)