New space startup Lux Aeterna wants to make satellites reusable

The potential of satellites to deliver internet services and track environmental changes is immense, yet many of these technological marvels ultimately perish in the Earth's atmosphere or are relegated to inactive 'graveyard' orbits. Enter Lux Aeterna, an innovative startup based in Denver, which has emerged from stealth mode with a groundbreaking plan to create reusable satellites. Their flagship design, named Delphi, is set to launch and return by 2027, promising to significantly reduce the costs of deploying satellite payloads into orbit. The reusability of satellites could usher in a new era of flexibility in space operations, as current models are typically designed for long-term missions and cannot be repurposed easily. This ambitious project has caught the attention of the U.S. Department of Defense, which views low-Earth orbit as a strategic asset. Furthermore, Lux Aeterna has attracted considerable interest from venture capital, securing $4 million in pre-seed funding led by Space Capital, alongside contributions from Dynamo Ventures and Mission One Capital. Brian Taylor, the founder and CEO of Lux Aeterna, was inspired to develop this concept last year while observing SpaceX's Starship testing. He expressed a desire to leverage the capabilities of such heavy-lift rockets to revolutionize satellite design. With the larger payload capacity of rockets like Starship and Blue Origin’s New Glenn, Taylor envisions a satellite that can endure multiple re-entries without compromising on technology or requiring excessive weight sacrifices. Central to the Delphi satellite’s design is a sophisticated heat shield, reminiscent of those used in NASA's iconic spacecraft. Taylor noted the importance of learning from successful historical designs rather than reinventing the wheel. While details about the specific operational mechanisms of the Delphi remain under wraps, Taylor has a rich background in the satellite industry, including contributions to SpaceX's Starlink and Amazon's Kuiper project. The plan is for Delphi to launch aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, conduct a full orbital mission, and safely return to Earth, paving the way for subsequent tests of its reusability. Looking ahead, Taylor and his team aspire to develop a more advanced production vehicle capable of demonstrating even greater reusability. Despite significant advancements in space technology over the years, Taylor believes the satellite industry is still in its infancy, presenting ample opportunities for companies like Lux Aeterna to thrive. He is optimistic about the future of a space-based economy, stating, 'We don’t know what we don’t know is going to come. That’s probably the most exciting part.'