Solstar Space Co. Transmits 2,300 Files in Orbit

Solstar Space Co. confirmed its router successfully transmitted over 2,300 data files between two orbiting spacecraft, marking a technical milestone for the Santa Fe company. The files included images, telemetry, and health-status data collected during a 30-minute proximity operation. This test validates the Deke Space Communicator's ability to function as a networking device and computer in the harsh environment of space. The equipment is hardened to withstand extreme temperatures and radiation, unlike standard consumer routers.

The router was attached to a satellite moving at 17,000 miles per hour. It communicated with nearby satellites and relayed data to NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. Iridium Communications Inc. provided the network link for this transmission. Founder and CEO Brian Barnett, a former NASA employee, stated that the company aims to remain a leader in a market he projects will be worth nearly $4 billion. Barnett noted that standard home equipment cannot simply be placed on the moon or in a spacecraft.

Solstar formed in 2017 as NASA began retiring its high-bandwidth communications systems on tracking and data relay satellites. This retirement opened a private market for space internet providers. In 2025, the company secured a $15 million agreement with Momentus Inc. to demonstrate the Deke system. A Momentus-operated spacecraft carried the hardware into space on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California in March. The system powered on in orbit on April 15.

Barnett is focusing on creating sticky revenue streams beyond hardware sales. The company plans to charge network fees for data transmission, which provides financial stability during market downturns. Investors have responded to this strategy. In July, Encore Technologies Corp. invested $1 million in Solstar through a convertible loan. Barnett acknowledged that competition is increasing in the satellite communications sector, but he believes the company is positioned to stay ahead of new entrants.

Next, Solstar is developing Wi-Fi infrastructure for the moon. The company holds Small Business Innovation Research contracts for space-based relays and a lunar Wi-Fi access point for NASA. These projects support the U.S. Space Force and the Artemis mission. Barnett said SpaceX and Blue Origin are expected to build landing systems on the moon within the next one to two years. He anticipates a demand for Wi-Fi-enabled spacesuits and lunar rovers to facilitate communication without physical wiring.

The company tests its equipment at an Albuquerque laboratory to ensure it can withstand space conditions before deployment. The recent orbital test serves as proof of concept for the Deke Space Communicator. Solstar positions itself as the first internet space provider, leveraging its early entry into the market as NASA's legacy systems phase out. The firm continues to refine its technology for future lunar operations.