Solstar Space and Momentus Partner to Enable In-Orbit Communications and Logistics for Defense and Commercial Missions

Solstar Space and Momentus have announced a strategic partnership aimed at delivering in-orbit communications relay and logistics services. The collaboration leverages Solstar’s space-based Wi-Fi technology and Momentus’ orbital transport vehicle (OTV) platform, Vigoride. The initiative is designed to support both commercial constellations and U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) missions that require persistent low Earth orbit (LEO) communications coverage.

Strategic Collaboration Targets Persistent Tactical Connectivity

The joint effort between Solstar Space—a New Mexico-based startup specializing in space-based internet—and Momentus—a California firm providing last-mile delivery in space—focuses on enabling real-time data relay capabilities in LEO. This is particularly relevant for military users who require resilient beyond-line-of-sight (BLOS) communications during tactical operations.

Under the agreement, Solstar will integrate its Schmitt Relay communications payload onto Momentus’ Vigoride spacecraft. These hosted payloads will function as nodes within a distributed data relay network capable of supporting DoD users operating in denied or degraded environments where traditional SATCOM links may be unavailable or contested.

“Our partnership with Momentus allows us to rapidly deploy our secure space-based communication systems,” said Brian Barnett, founder of Solstar Space. “This helps ensure that warfighters can stay connected even when terrestrial infrastructure is compromised.”

Vigoride Tug Platform as Communications Infrastructure

Momentus’ Vigoride spacecraft is a modular orbital service vehicle designed for satellite deployment, station-keeping, inspection missions, and now hosting communication payloads. Powered by a microwave electrothermal thruster (MET), Vigoride provides extended maneuverability within LEO orbits—a key enabler for positioning comms relays over areas of interest.

The MET propulsion system uses water as propellant, offering a non-toxic alternative with high delta-V efficiency suitable for repositioning relay nodes as mission needs evolve. This flexibility is critical for dynamic battlefield conditions where coverage zones must adapt quickly.

Momentus has launched multiple Vigoride missions since its first demonstration flight aboard a SpaceX Transporter-5 rideshare mission in May 2022. Subsequent launches have validated the platform’s ability to host third-party payloads while maintaining precise orbital control.

Dual-Use Potential: Military ISR Support Meets Commercial Demand

The Solstar-Momentus solution aligns with growing DoD interest in proliferated LEO architectures that provide resilient C4ISR capabilities under the U.S. Space Development Agency’s (SDA) layered network vision. Tactical edge users—including special operations forces—stand to benefit from low-latency links that bypass geostationary dependencies.

• BLOS comms: Enables real-time command-and-control beyond terrestrial line-of-sight.
• SATCOM resilience: Provides redundancy against jamming/spoofing of GEO/MEO assets.
• Tactical ISR integration: Supports data exfiltration from UAVs or unattended sensors in denied areas.
• Dynamically repositionable: Relay nodes can be moved based on theater priorities or orbital threats.

Beyond defense applications, commercial operators of smallsat constellations may use the system to reduce latency gaps when ground stations are unavailable due to geography or weather conditions—particularly valuable for Earth observation firms needing time-sensitive downlinks.

Technical Architecture of the Schmitt Relay Payload

The Schmitt Relay—a nod to Apollo-era astronaut Harrison Schmitt—is Solstar’s proprietary satellite communications module designed for operation in harsh radiation environments typical of LEO missions. It supports S-band uplink/downlink frequencies but may be upgraded to Ka-band or optical links depending on user requirements.

The system includes onboard encryption modules compliant with NSA Type-1 standards when used for classified transmissions under DoD contracts. While exact throughput figures remain undisclosed due to operational sensitivity, open-source estimates suggest initial versions could support several Mbps per node with sub-second latency across inter-satellite links (ISLs).

Funding Pathways Through SBIR/STTR and Defense Innovation Channels

This partnership builds upon prior funding awarded through Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grants from NASA and the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL). Solstar has previously demonstrated its tech aboard Blue Origin suborbital flights and continues prototyping under Phase II SBIR contracts focused on persistent orbital comms infrastructure.

The companies aim to pursue additional funding through the Space Force’s Orbital Prime initiative—focused on accelerating commercial servicing capabilities—and potential integration into SDA’s future Transport Layer tranches post-2026 if performance thresholds are met during upcoming demos scheduled for late 2025–2026 launch windows.

Tactical Implications and Future Outlook

If successful at scale, this model could serve as an agile alternative—or complement—to traditional military SATCOM platforms like WGS or AEHF by enabling rapid deployment of theater-specific relay coverage using commercial launch rideshares.

• Rapid deployment: Hosted payload model allows faster fielding than bespoke military satellites.
• COTS leverage: Reduces cost per node by using commercial bus platforms like Vigoride.
• SDA interoperability: Potential integration into mesh networks using Link-16 or optical ISLs pending standardization efforts.
• MDO relevance: Enhances Joint All-Domain Command & Control (JADC2) by bridging tactical edge assets into global C4ISR grids.

The first operational demonstration mission featuring a Schmitt Relay aboard a Vigoride tug is expected no earlier than Q4 FY2025 pending launch manifest confirmation with SpaceX or other rideshare providers. If validated through DoD exercises or Combatant Command trials, this architecture could inform future doctrine around distributed space-based comms layers supporting expeditionary operations under contested spectrum conditions.