Space logistics company Momentus has signed a strategic agreement with Solstar Space to integrate persistent in-orbit communications capabilities into its Vigoride Orbital Service Vehicles (OSVs). This partnership aims to address a critical gap in satellite mission operations by enabling continuous data exchange between spacecraft and ground operators beyond traditional ground station windows.
Enabling Persistent Communications for On-Orbit Services
The core of the agreement focuses on embedding Solstar’s Schmitt Relay communications system aboard Momentus’ Vigoride OSVs. These vehicles are designed to provide last-mile delivery and hosted payload services for small satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO). By integrating the Schmitt Relay system—which leverages commercial satellite networks such as Iridium and Globalstar—Vigoride platforms will be able to maintain near-continuous connectivity with mission operators.
This capability is particularly valuable for real-time telemetry, command uplink, anomaly resolution, and system health monitoring. Traditionally, LEO satellites rely on limited-duration passes over ground stations for such interactions. The addition of persistent communications via commercial relay networks significantly reduces latency and enhances operational responsiveness.
Vigoride OSV Platform Overview
Momentus’ Vigoride is a modular orbital transfer vehicle (OTV) that supports a range of missions including satellite deployment, hosted payload operation, debris mitigation testing, and technology demonstrations. It is powered by the proprietary Microwave Electrothermal Thruster (MET), which uses water as propellant—offering a safer and potentially more sustainable propulsion method compared to hydrazine-based systems.
The Vigoride platform has been launched aboard multiple SpaceX Transporter rideshare missions since 2022. With its ability to deliver payloads to custom orbits after separation from the launch vehicle’s primary trajectory, it addresses a growing need for flexible deployment solutions in an increasingly congested LEO environment.
Solstar’s Schmitt Relay System Capabilities
Solstar Space has developed the Schmitt Relay as an Internet-of-Things (IoT)-style communications node designed specifically for space applications. It connects spacecraft with terrestrial operators via existing commercial satellite constellations like Iridium NEXT and Globalstar’s Simplex network. This approach avoids the need for dedicated ground infrastructure while offering global coverage at relatively low cost.
The relay system supports encrypted telemetry downlink and command uplink functions with low latency. While not intended for high-throughput data transfer like optical downlinks or Ka-band systems, it fills an important niche by enabling persistent command-and-control capabilities during all orbital phases—including eclipse periods or when outside line-of-sight of ground stations.
Operational Benefits Across Mission Profiles
The integration of persistent comms into Vigoride OSVs offers several operational advantages:
- Anomaly resolution: Operators can diagnose and respond to spacecraft issues without waiting for scheduled ground station passes.
- Flexible commissioning: Payloads can be tested immediately after deployment or during transit phases.
- Enhanced security: Continuous encrypted links reduce vulnerability windows for cyber interference or spoofing attempts.
- Reduced operational risk: Real-time situational awareness improves decision-making during critical mission phases such as orbit raising or proximity maneuvers.
This capability is especially relevant for defense-related missions involving ISR satellites or responsive space assets that require rapid tasking and feedback loops. It also aligns with U.S. Department of Defense priorities around proliferated LEO architectures that emphasize resilience through distributed systems.
A Step Toward Autonomous On-Orbit Infrastructure
The Momentus–Solstar partnership reflects a broader trend toward autonomous space infrastructure capable of supporting responsive operations without reliance on terrestrial bottlenecks. As the number of smallsat constellations grows—and as military users demand faster kill chains from sensor-to-shooter—persistent connectivity becomes a foundational enabler.
This development also dovetails with emerging concepts like “space-based internet” nodes that could eventually support machine-to-machine communication between satellites without routing through Earth-based relays. While the current implementation focuses on linking individual spacecraft back to operators via commercial networks, it lays groundwork for more complex mesh networking architectures in orbit.
Looking Ahead: Deployment Timeline and Commercial Implications
No specific launch date has been publicly announced for the first Vigoride vehicle equipped with Schmitt Relay hardware; however, both companies have indicated that integration will begin shortly under existing mission timelines scheduled through 2025. Momentus has several upcoming flights manifested on Falcon 9 rideshare launches which could serve as early testbeds.
If successful, this capability could become standard across all future Momentus missions—offering customers enhanced value through improved responsiveness and reduced risk profiles. For Solstar Space, it marks another step toward commercializing its relay technology across both government and private-sector platforms operating in LEO and beyond.
