Lux Aeterna, a startup founded by former SpaceX engineer Brian Taylor, is making significant strides in reusable satellite technology. The company has recently entered into several partnership agreements with U.S. government entities, including the U.S. Space Force, the Air Force Research Laboratory, and NASA’s Ames Research Center. These collaborations are focused on advancing Lux Aeterna’s innovative heat shield technology, designed to enable full reusability of satellites and unlock new mission capabilities for both military and commercial sectors.
Key Takeaways
- Lux Aeterna has secured Cooperative Research and Development Agreements (CRADAs) with the U.S. Space Force and the Air Force Research Laboratory.
- A Space Act Agreement has been established with NASA’s Ames Research Center for technical collaboration.
- The company’s technology focuses on a novel rigid heat shield that doubles as the spacecraft’s structural bus.
- These partnerships aim to accelerate the development and evaluation of reusable spacecraft for national space priorities and commercial applications.
Advancing Reusable Satellite Architecture
Lux Aeterna’s core innovation lies in a novel rigid heat shield that serves as the satellite’s structural bus. This design aims to make satellites fully reusable, opening up possibilities for various applications such as short-duration on-orbit experiments, in-space manufacturing, and responsive missions that can be recovered and relaunched on demand. The partnerships with the Space Force and Air Force Research Laboratory are specifically geared towards advancing these technologies to support U.S. national space priorities, including emerging combat power and space control missions. The Air Force’s research arm is exploring broader objectives for reusable spacecraft.
Government Access to Rapid Development
According to CEO Brian Taylor, these agreements provide government research and operational organizations with access to Lux Aeterna’s rapid development capabilities, advanced thermal protection, and reentry technologies. This allows them to evaluate new materials, flight systems, and responsive space concepts more quickly and cost-effectively compared to traditional government programs. The collaborations are expected to accelerate the pace of innovation in the reusable space sector.
Development Milestones and Future Missions
Lux Aeterna is on track to complete a Critical Design Review for its first reusable satellite, Delphi-1, by the end of the year. This demonstrator satellite is slated for a reentry mission in early 2027. An initial prototype of the 200-kilogram demonstrator has already been built and successfully passed systems requirements and preliminary design reviews. This prototype will undergo further testing, including vibration, impact, and parachute drop tests, through 2026. The company has also completed the first round of hypersonic arc-jet testing for its proprietary reusable heat shield material, which is being developed in-house.
Sources
Founder Dinis Guarda
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