New Space Venture Lux Aeterna Sets Out to Develop Reusable Satellites

Satellites carry out extraordinary tasks such as delivering internet connectivity and tracking wildfires. Yet, many ultimately meet a fiery end, disintegrating upon re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere. Some expend their last fuel reserves to shift to “graveyard” orbits, where they remain in a dormant state indefinitely.

A newly established startup, Lux Aeterna, seeks to transform this scenario. Based in Denver, the company is emerging from stealth mode with its groundbreaking reusable satellite, Delphi, expected to launch and land by 2027.

Should it succeed, Lux Aeterna could dramatically lower the costs linked to deploying satellite payloads into orbit. This innovation would also provide enhanced flexibility compared to traditional satellite designs, which are constructed for long-term missions and lack the ability to adjust to new tasks.

These characteristics have already caught the interest of the Department of Defense, which views low-Earth orbit as a vital component of U.S. military strategy.

Venture capitalists are investing as well, with Lux Aeterna garnering $4 million in pre-seed funding, spearheaded by Space Capital alongside other early-stage investors such as Dynamo Ventures and Mission One Capital.

Founder and CEO Brian Taylor conceived Lux Aeterna last year while watching a Starship test vehicle launch by his previous employer, SpaceX.

“I aim to have Starship carry something remarkable, something that transforms the industry,” Taylor mentioned during an interview with TechCrunch.

Starship, the largest rocket ever built, has the capability to transport larger payloads into space than previously imagined. Size is crucial for satellite developers, who often need to conform to the dimensions of a rocket’s cargo hold. Starship isn’t the sole heavy-lift option; Blue Origin’s New Glenn is also in the works.

Creating a satellite capable of enduring the extreme conditions of atmospheric re-entry presents a challenge. However, with the extra capacity provided by heavy-lift rockets, Taylor believes it is possible to design a satellite that can survive multiple re-entries without compromising on technology due to cost or weight constraints.

For Lux Aeterna, this includes the use of a heat shield. The latest design rendering of the Delphi satellite showcases a conical heat shield reminiscent of those used in some of NASA’s most legendary missions.

According to Taylor, this choice is grounded in effectiveness.

“We carefully studied NASA’s past exploratory and sample return missions, which validated our chosen architecture,” he remarked. “When pursuing ambitious goals, it’s essential not to reinvent the wheel at every turn.”

Taylor withheld additional information about the operational aspects of the Delphi satellite or how Lux Aeterna plans to refurbish it between launches. (The design appears to include a foldable satellite bus structure that fits neatly behind the heat shield.)

Taylor, who possesses extensive satellite experience from his roles with SpaceX’s Starlink project, Amazon’s Kuiper satellite program, and the space infrastructure startup Loft Orbital, is well-prepared for this venture.

The Delphi satellite is slated to launch on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket in 2027, conduct a full orbital mission, and then return to Earth. Following this, Lux Aeterna intends to replicate this process to demonstrate Delphi’s reusability.

Looking ahead, Taylor’s team is working on a larger production vehicle that will further enhance the potential for reusability.

Despite years of progress in spaceflight, Taylor believes the industry is still in its early stages, offering vast opportunities for companies like Lux Aeterna to establish a sustainable business model.

“It hasn’t matured to the level of [computer] chips or the automotive sector,” he commented. Satellite reusability is set to help facilitate that evolution. Taylor shares enthusiasm about the unexplored possibilities in a space-based economy.

“We’re unaware of what’s on the horizon,” he concluded. “That’s likely the most exciting part.”