Does a Santa Fe-based startup have what it takes to reach the stars? An experienced space scientist who just flew on board Virgin Galactic's most recent research mission thinks so.
Alan Stern, Ph.D., a planetary scientist and lead on NASA's New Horizons mission, flew into suborbit as part of Virgin Galactic's (NYSE: SPCE) "Galactic 05" research mission, which took off and landed at New Mexico's Spaceport America on Nov. 2. Two days before that flight launched from New Mexico's Spaceport America, Solstar Space Co., a Santa Fe startup developing a suite of space-based internet connectivity systems, announced Stern had joined the startup's team as an expert advisor.
It's a big move for the New Mexico startup that's seen some other bits of recent traction.
"I'm all about trying to make commercial spaceflight successful for a number of different reasons," Stern told New Mexico Inno. "Solstar has a brand new kind of capability, and I'd like to see it fostered."
Solstar's space-based products include WiFi access points and a pair of space communicator devices — one broadband device called the Slayton Space Communicator, and one "narrowband" device called the Deke Space Communicator. The latter of those two devices is the focus of a recent U.S. Space Force contract the Santa Fe company was awarded in early September. (The former also earned a contract award earlier this year.)
The startup has previously demonstrated its technologies in suborbit on a pair of missions with Washington state-based aerospace company Blue Origin. But Stern sees more potential for future spacelight demonstrations of Solstar's technologies.
That could include, according to Stern, using Solstar's technology on future Virgin Galactic missions, although the startup didn't indicate that any such plans are currently in the works.
"I'd like to see it flying on Virgin [Galactic], flying on the balloon companies, going back to Blue [Origin], doing things maybe more development followed by operations," Stern said. "I want to see it scale and proliferate across the whole suborbital industry."
Brian Barnett, the founder and CEO of Solstar, said in a statement that Stern's recent Virgin Galactic mission provided "an example of the type of spaceflight missions Solstar plans to support with its space WiFi in the future."
Stern, alongside fellow researcher Kelli Gerardi, completed a series of research experiments in zero-gravity conditions while on board Virgin Galactic's spaceship during the mission — including, in the case of Stern, training exercises in preparation for a future spaceflight as part of NASA's Flight Opportunities program.
Lisa Dreher, Solstar's marketing specialist, said Solstar's next flight test could come in 2025. She said the startup's existing work under its Space Force contract is to develop a "flight-ready broadband communications solution."
"We're hoping that that could lead to an actual test flight," Dreher said.
Anthony "Tony" Colucci, a long-time aerospace industry professional, joined Solstar's board of directors in July. He sees unique potential in the startup's technologies, as well, Colucci previously told New Mexico Inno.
Solstar, founded in 2017, employs over a dozen people in New Mexico and in other states across the country. The startup has raised $2.59 million to date, according to the venture website PitchBook.
