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Completed TRL 6 (started at 5, targeting 6)
Solstar is flying satellite communications transceivers on-board suborbital reusable launch vehicles to test and demonstrate that commercial communications satellite networks can be used to provide internet and voice communications for people and payloads in space. These test flights will enable us to mature and develop our technologies specifically for the space environment. We will test text messaging, location reporting, voice communications, and WiFi payloads. The FOP tests provides an excellent test bed for maturing our technologies in a space environment.
Problem Statement: NASA and commercial developers of orbital and suborbital spacecraft, as well as crew on the ISS, have a constant need to lower the cost and ease of two-way air-to-ground data transmission. Current government-owned networks are expensive and sometimes over-extended. Solstar's new modern communications technologies, based on internet protocol, can provide a lower cost and efficient mode of communication to augment government-owned infrastructure and meet the need for lower cost, efficient communications.
Technology Maturation: The purpose of these flights is to demonstrate and mature voice and data communications services and equipment to be tested in the space environment, above 100km, and at rocket velocities. The FOP spaceflights will provide an ideal test platform to mature our technologies leading to commercial internet services in space. These test flights and subsequent evaluation of the data will enhance the TRL level of internet protocol applications in space.
Summary of Flight Testing
7/18/2018: Solstar successfully demonstrated a second test of its privately funded Wi-Fi service in space, posting the second commercial Tweet from space @SolstarOFFICIAL. The Tweet posted, “What a view of Planet Earth. Brought to you live from Space – this tweet from Solstar’s Space Communicator onboard #NewShepard! Connecting People and Things in Space to Earth #WiFiInSpace”
Solstar’s SC-1x Space Communicator and service was tested onboard Blue Origin’s New Shepard Crew Capsule on a flight funded by NASA’s Flight Opportunities Program (FOP). The spacecraft was launched from Blue Origin’s West Texas Launch Site near Van Horn, Texas, USA.
M. Brian Barnett, Solstar Founder and CEO remarked, “For the second time in 50 days our Space Communicator successfully tested our commercial WiFi service in space. This time our service was tested at a higher altitude at 74.6 miles (120 km). We achieved our other objective of acquiring and maintaining a data link during the vigorous flight conditions of the high-altitude escape test.”
Commercial space shuttle astronaut and Solstar advisor, Charlie Walker, added, “Communication up to space and back is a vital connection for any activity in space, but the government has had a lock on that until now,” said Walker, now a part-time adviser to Solstar. “This technology is creating industrial infrastructure from the communications standpoint for users on the ground and in space.”
Dr. Mark Matossian, Solstar’s COO remarked, “If, say, a company puts up a small research satellite, it can only talk with it once it passes over the ground station, which limits the ability to download data. Solstar’s technology will allow access to the satellite at all times, which could be a powerful option for space businesses and researchers that they haven’t had until now.”
The test flight was an important milestone towards fulfilling Solstar’s goal of securely and conveniently connecting people and things in space to Earth via any internet connected device. “We want to extend our sincere gratitude to Blue Origin’s highly professional team for making our second WiFi in Space test possible today”, Barnett said.
This technology is intended to provide researchers with a commercial two-way communication service with their payloads in flight, both in suborbital flight and in low earth orbit.
Future Customers
- NASA, FAA, DoD, International Space Agencies.
- Commercial spacecraft and spaceliners such as Virgin Galactic, Up Aerospace, World Space, private astronauts/passengers.
- Space researchers and scientists, sRLV payload specialists, science payload developers and operators on the ground communicating with their payloads in space.
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This is early/mid-stage (TRL 6) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.
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