This SpaceX veteran says the next big thing in space is satellites that return to Earth

In a groundbreaking shift for the space industry, a new startup founded by a former SpaceX engineer is set to transform satellite technology. Brian Taylor, who played a pivotal role in developing satellites for renowned networks like SpaceX's Starlink and Amazon's Project Kuiper, launched Lux Aeterna in December 2024. The company's ambitious goal is to create satellite structures equipped with heat shields, enabling them to return to Earth alongside their payloads. Emerging from stealth mode last year, Lux Aeterna recently announced a successful $10 million seed funding round led by Konvoy, with contributions from notable investors including Decisive Point, Cubit Capital, Wave Function, Space Capital, Dynamo Ventures, and Channel 39. Although the company did not disclose its valuation, the new capital is earmarked for the design and construction of its Delphi spacecraft, which is scheduled to launch aboard a SpaceX rocket in early 2027. This mission is crucial for validating Lux Aeterna’s innovative technology, allowing customers to test hosted payloads and materials that will ultimately be returned to Earth at Koonibba Test Range in Australia, thanks to a collaboration with Southern Launch. Returning items from space poses significant challenges, particularly due to the extreme heat generated when re-entering Earth's atmosphere at high speeds. Existing spacecraft must utilize protective materials to survive the journey, which can add considerable weight and expense. Typically, only human-carrying vehicles like the Space Shuttle or SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft are designed for re-entry, given the high stakes involved. The challenges of re-entry have been vividly illustrated by SpaceX's ongoing efforts to land its Starship rocket successfully, often broadcasted for public viewing. Other startups like Varda Space and Inversion are also addressing this re-entry issue, albeit on a smaller scale. Varda has successfully completed five missions, returning capsules on four, while Inversion anticipates launching its Arc vehicle later this year. The ability to reliably return payloads from space is essential for several futuristic business models, including the testing of new materials in orbit, manufacturing in microgravity, and harvesting resources from asteroids. The U.S. military is particularly interested in utilizing these technologies for logistical support and hypersonic weapon testing. However, Lux Aeterna aims even higher with the vision of making communication and Earth observation satellites reusable. Currently, satellites have a limited operational lifespan of five to ten years due to various factors such as component failures or running out of propellant. Once they reach the end of their life, they are either destroyed upon re-entry or moved to a less crowded orbit. Taylor envisions a future where satellite technology can be continuously upgraded. He stated, "Our ambitions are so much larger than just reentry. If you have a payload component that needs updating, instead of constructing new satellites, you can bring the old ones down and refurbish them." Despite the exciting potential, economic viability remains a concern. The value generated by new payloads must exceed the costs associated with building, launching, returning, and refurbishing reusable satellites. Additionally, regulatory hurdles present a challenge. Lux Aeterna is focusing its efforts in Australia due to the complexities of obtaining re-entry licenses in the U.S. Varda faced similar delays while working with the FAA to ensure safety for its returning capsule missions. Taylor believes that while regulatory approvals may slow the initial pace, they will improve as the industry matures. "The stakeholders supporting us are convinced that now is the time for a significant paradigm shift in orbital operations, not just for re-entry but for enhancing reusability across the satellite sector," he concluded.