VISTAsat N1-ATLASSpaceX Transporter 16.Q1 2026.
The planned constellation will use “a combination of sensors,” Bartholomeusz said, with each satellite carrying a mix of some sensor types. The early satellites will include an electro-optical camera, a standard RGB (red, green, blue) digital camera, a 96-band hyperspectral camera and radio frequency sensors. Subsequent birds will incorporate high-resolution electro-optical cameras and a 600-band hyperspectral camera that includes shortwave and thermal infrared frequencies.But the critical capability at the center of NOVI’s business plan to expand from its initial focus on DoD work into the commercial arena is its tiny, but high-powered, computer to process that sensor data on board the satellite, Bartholomeusz explained.“What NOVI has developed for national security is compute on board the satellites,” he said, “because in military applications, time matters, latency matters.“What we are doing is, inference algorithms are loaded onto the onboard computer. Data is collected, it’s analyzed, and then just the bits and bytes of information is sent to the interested assets,” he said. “So, it’s very small data packets. When you send small data packets, you don’t need to wait for a ground station pass. You can send it over channels like Iridium, for example.”
The initial deployment of NOVI’s planned non-geostationary (“NGSO”) Earth exploration satellite service (“EESS”) system consists of two technically identical satellites, designed to have an estimated operational lifetime of five years, at sun-synchronous altitude of 580 +/- 20 km and an inclination of 97.5 +/- 1.0 degrees. These two satellites are referred to as N1-ATLAS and N2-P-Body. [...]NOVI plans to launch the two VISTAsat spacecraft on the successive SpaceX Transporter 16 and Transporter 17 missions, currently scheduled for launch NET February and June 2026, respectively, out of Vandenberg Air Force Base, California.
Once in orbit, the satellites will be ejected from a Maverick CubeSat dispenser into a planned circular, sun-synchronous orbit (97.5 deg) at an average altitude of 590km. [...]N1-ATLAS and N2-P-Body conform to the 6U CubeSat specification, with a launch mass of ~13kg. Basic physical dimensions are 110mm x 110mm x 366mm, with two 306mm x 1880 mm deployable solar arrays.
NOVI Space Inc. today announced the launch of GENIE™ - its low-cost, open-access, multi-sensor edge-compute constellation built to transform how users access, process, and act on Earth Observation (EO) data.[...]Building on these foundations, NOVI is launching GENIE - the Geospatial Ecosystem for Near real-time Information at the Edge. GENIE is a first-of-its-kind, open-access constellation that combines multi-sensor payloads with onboard compute to enable real-time processing in space. Instead of sending massive raw datasets back to Earth, GENIE satellites can perform countless user-defined processing tasks, such as clipping imagery to specific areas of interest, as well as run detection and inference algorithms directly in orbit. This dramatically reduces the high cost and latency associated with downlink, storage, management, and transfer of raw data that impedes traditional solutions. The architecture also supports multi-satellite / multi-domain tip-and-cue and tasking, enabling coordinated, responsive operations across diverse sensors and orbital assets. Launches for the first two GENIE satellites are booked on SpaceX Transporter-16 and 17, with operations beginning in early 2026.
Iridium Satellite LLC hereby requests an experimental license, beginning on or before March 1, 2025, to transmit from its space stations to the GENIE (Geospatial Ecosystem for Near real-time Information at the Edge) constellation to be operated by NOVI Space Inc. in the 1618.725–1626.5 MHz band. Iridium seeks experimental authority for 24 months and will apply for renewals of authority as appropriate.The GENIE constellation project will consist of two pathfinder earth exploration satellites operating in low earth orbit that will be used to prove out the functionality of NOVI’s new satellite bus. Each satellite will carry one payload consisting of a visible imager, a hyperspectral imager, and a software defined radio, and a second payload consisting of a single Iridium communications modem(Iridium model SBDB9603F) that will transmit to space stations in Iridium’s “Big LEO” constellation.The mission seeks to reduce significantly the cost, complexity, and latency associated with multiple Earth-based and space-based locations. The satellites are scheduled to be launched in March 2026 and June 2026.
Argo Space Corp. is launching an experimental demonstration of orbital transportation with the Navigator spacecraft. Launch is tentatively scheduled for February 1, 2026 aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9 Transporter-16 mission from Vandenberg Space Force Base.The primary objective of this mission is to demonstrate the spacecraft’s water-fueled propulsion system and its ability to transport payloads from low Earth orbit (LEO) to a super synchronous geostationary (GEO) graveyard orbit. After deployment into LEO at an inclination angle of 97.4°, Navigator will raise its apoapsis to 80,000 km while maintaining inclination, resulting in a highly elliptical orbit. It will then perform a near equatorial inclination change, followed by circularization in a super synchronous GEO graveyard orbit. This mission is a technology demonstration and pathfinder for Argo Space Corp.’s LEO-to-GEO rideshare platform, supporting future commercial space operations.The primary mission duration is expected to last 12 months, but operation may continue for up to the end of the Part 5 license period of 2 years.
Our mission trajectory is highly dynamic and consists of three main phases after being dropped off in LEO: a. Apogee raising from 500 km to 80,000 km (above earth’s surface) b. Inclination change from 97.4° to 0° c. Circularization to super synchronous GEO graveyard orbit
Argo Space Corp. is developing the Argonaut, a highly reusable small spacecraft transfer vehicle with large amounts of delta V that captures payloads on-orbit. The massive growth in small satellites and cislunar activity is driving an urgent need for affordable and reliable in-space transportation. The Argonaut offers affordable and dependable transportation through the introduction of true in-space reusability for propulsive in-space vehicles, from the choice of propellant to the docking mechanism. The Argonaut is propelled by Argo's water-fed microwave electrothermal thruster (MET) and leverages existing common launch vehicle interfaces to simplify orbital docking and capture operations for client spacecraft. This MET enables use of readily storable water propellant with both a low thrust, high efficiency plasma mode and a low efficiency, higher thrust steam mode. By using water as propellant, the Argonaut increases the safety of transport, ground handling, and launch operations while also simplifying in-space propellant storage and management. Additionally, water propellant can be refuelled through in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) on the lunar surface to support America's permanent human presence there. Initial Argonauts are designed to transport small spacecraft from CubeSats up to ESPA-class from low Earth orbit (LEO) to lunar orbits, but future iterations will scale in capability to transport payloads up to 10 metric tons. Argonaut's unique mechanical spacecraft capture system requires no additional hardware installation on or pre-launch integration with client spacecraft.
Argo Space Corp. will integrate Anduril’s advanced space domain awareness and edge computing technologies onto Argo’s unique, high-deltaV spacecraft for Argo’s first launch, scheduled for early 2026. By combining Argo’s highly-maneuverable, high-energy spacecraft with Anduril’s software-defined mission payloads that leverage the company’s core competencies in mission autonomy, edge processing, infrared imaging, and more, the two companies are ushering in significant advancements in dynamic space operations.To support the mission, Anduril will rapidly deliver a suite of sensor and compute payloads to be hosted aboard Argo’s “Navigator” spacecraft. The privately-funded mission will allow both companies to demonstrate how Argo’s high-energy spacecraft architecture and Anduril’s software-defined, hardware-enabled payloads can unlock new options for national security customers seeking novel solutions to complex mission sets in higher orbits.
The collaboration will deploy ThinkOrbital’s “ThinkX” X-ray imaging and material characterization system on Argo’s highly maneuverable spacecraft. Combining ThinkOrbital’s novel X-ray technology with Argo’s space vehicles will substantially advance space domain awareness (SDA) capabilities and ThinkOrbital’s technology. ThinkOrbital’s proprietary X-ray system will launch on Argo’s inaugural mission in 2026.“This partnership demonstrates how combining advanced sensor technologies with high-deltaV spacecraft can unlock unprecedented capabilities for national security and commercial space applications," said Robert Carlisle, CEO of Argo. “Our first mission with ThinkOrbital is a significant step toward true dynamic space operations across orbits."[...]This mission represents the first space-based test of Argo's high deltaV, refuellable spacecraft platform coupled with ThinkOrbital's long-range active X-ray imaging and material characterization technology, setting a foundation for future orbital inspection and characterization missions.
Under the collaboration, Argo will fly Infinite Orbits’ technology aboard Argo’s spacecraft, launching in 2026. This partnership represents a significant milestone in international space cooperation and demonstrates the growing synergy between in-space technologies.[...]The 2026 mission will provide valuable technology demonstration and advancement for both companies, validating operational concepts that could reshape how satellite operators approach in-orbit services. The collaboration builds on both companies' commitment to advancing the in-space economy through innovative technology partnerships.
A Uɴɪqᴜᴇ Oᴘᴇɴɪɴɢ: CᴜʙᴇSᴀᴛ Cᴀᴘᴀᴄɪᴛʏ Aᴠᴀɪʟᴀʙʟᴇ ᴏɴ SᴘᴀᴄᴇX Tʀᴀɴꜱᴘᴏʀᴛᴇʀ-16 🚀Sometimes space opens up, literally!New CubeSat slots have become available on Transporter-16, launching in Q1 2026 to SSO. This is a chance to join a high-reliability SpaceX mission, and get your payload on orbit faster than expected.
Update on Space Norway's ADIS-project [Nov 15, 2023]QuoteSpace Norway’s ADIS-project is progressing well, and the satellite will launch in June 2025 on SpaceX Transporter.Space Norway AS is developing a microsatellite mission called the Application Development Infrastructure in Space (ADIS).
Space Norway’s ADIS-project is progressing well, and the satellite will launch in June 2025 on SpaceX Transporter.Space Norway AS is developing a microsatellite mission called the Application Development Infrastructure in Space (ADIS).
🛰️ Space Norway's Anton Bolstad visited the podcast #Romkapsel. He had a good chat with Eirik Newth and Nils Johan Halvorsen about our ADIS satellite. 🚀 We are launching the satellite in 2026, and this is a cool project for testing Internet of Things in space. This is going to be our laboratory in space.
Space Norway is responsible for delivering payloads to the platform provider, OHB Sweden. These payloads are supplied by two experienced Norwegian subcontractors: Kongsberg Discovery and Kongsberg Seatex (providing the VDES payload), and WideNorth (providing the Software Defined Radio payload). Additionally, Comrod is contributing by designing antenna solutions for the ADIS satellite.The primary payload, a software-defined radio (SDR), offers flexibility in frequency range, bandwidth, processing power, and FPGA functionality. This allows for the definition and demonstration of new communication concepts post-launch.The satellite will also feature a secondary payload for the VDES communication system, designed for data exchange between ships and satellites or coastal stations in the VHF band. This system is specifically developed for maritime communication purposes. Notably, Space Norway already operates two VDES payloads in space.
Planned for launch in 2026, Hyperfield-2 represents a significant leap forward in our satellite technology, featuring expanded spectral coverage and improved spatial resolution. This second generation satellites with advanced design will enable even deeper analysis and strengthen our predictive modeling capabilities through richer, more detailed data collection.Launch time: H1 2026Launch vehicle: SpaceX Falcon 9, USAClass: MicrosatelliteMass: 60 kgSpectral range: 450-1,700 nmResolution: 15 mPayload: Patented hyperspectral camera technologyMission status: In development
A generation of Hyperfield-2 satellites is already planned for launch into orbit in 2026. “We have already reserved launch sites for two new satellites for early 2026,” says Antila.The plan is to launch the next 10 new second-generation satellites into orbit in late 2026. The ultimate goal is a constellation of one hundred satellites.
Additional Hyperfield satellites slated to begin launching in 2026 will be significant larger.Kuva is building a 100-satellite constellation to provide “almost real-time measurement by the end of the decade,” Kuva CEO Jarkko Antila told SpaceNews at the GEOINT Symposium 2025.
The mission which will deploy ERMINAZ-2 satellites was moved to Transporter 16, and this means that the launch will take place not earlier than Q1/2026
The design of the satellites is identical to that of ERMINAZ-1U and ERMINAZ-1V (see specification above).PQ standard: 1PQ = 50 x 50 x 50 mm3Mass: 250 gOrbit: perigee 500 km, apogee 600, SSO, 97° Inclination, period 95 min.Launch: O2 2025 with Falcon 9 from US.
These spacecraft are now manifested to launch on the SpaceX Transporter 16 mission NET Q1 2026
In February 2026, it will launch 'Sejong 3' with SpaceX's Falcon 9
Specialized for analyzing wildfire damage, air pollution, and river water quality assessmentName: SJSAT-3Size: 200(W) x 100(D) x 300(H)mm, 6U CubeSatWeight: 10.8kg Altitude: 500kmSwath: 20kmResolution: GSD 5MVNIR: 442 hyper-spectral bands
Spire Global, Inc. announced an agreement with HANCOM InSpace (“Hancom”), initially a spin-off by Korea Aerospace Research Institute and now a part of HANCOM Group, for Sejong-2 and Sejong-3 two additional satellites with Spire Space Services. Under this agreement, Spire will build and operate the satellites, expanding the capabilities of HANCOM-1 (Sejong-1). Together, these satellites will form a constellation for Korea’s first three-satellite remote sensing image data service.[...]while Sejong-3, equipped with a hyperspectral imager, will leverage its spectral range advantages for applications such as calculating wildfire damage area, analyzing air pollution levels, and assessing river water quality,” said Dr. Myungjin Choi, the CEO of HANCOM InSpace.
Launch of ERMINAZ-2U, -2V & -2X [Jun 19]QuoteThe mission which will deploy ERMINAZ-2 satellites was moved to Transporter 16, and this means that the launch will take place not earlier than Q1/2026ERMINAZ-2 sats were manifested to be deployed from UARX's OSSIE.
Iridium Satellite LLC (“Iridium”) hereby requests an experimental license for a period of twelve (12) months, beginning on March 1, 2026, to transmit in the 1618.725–1626.5 MHz band1 from its space stations to an Iridium modem, described below, on the Vigoride spacecraft to be operated by Momentus Inc. (“Momentus”).The Vigoride spacecraft will host a Solstar Space Company Deke Space Communicator that houses an Iridium model 9770 modem.2 A Wi-Fi connection will be established to link the Deke Space Communicator with a cubesat operated by NASA that will be released from Momentus’ Vigoride spacecraft.
SAT-LOA-20250626-00122 [Jul 1]Application for Momentus Space's Vigoride-7; Narrative is hidden behind FCC sign in.
With respect to this application, VR-7 will transport and directly deploy one third-partycubesat payload for the National Aeronautics and Space Agency (“NASA”), InspectorSat-1 (“IS-1”), from VR-7. VR-7 will also carry a number of payloads that will remain onboard or affixedto VR-7, including a number of cameras and sensors.3IS-1 will be authorized through the appropriate process with the NationalTelecommunications and Information Association (“NTIA”).
QuoteWith respect to this application, VR-7 will transport and directly deploy one third-party cubesat payload for the National Aeronautics and Space Agency (“NASA”), InspectorSat-1 (“IS-1”), from VR-7. VR-7 will also carry a number of payloads that will remain onboard or affixed to VR-7, including a number of cameras and sensors. IS-1 will be authorized through the appropriate process with the National Telecommunications and Information Association (“NTIA”).
With respect to this application, VR-7 will transport and directly deploy one third-party cubesat payload for the National Aeronautics and Space Agency (“NASA”), InspectorSat-1 (“IS-1”), from VR-7. VR-7 will also carry a number of payloads that will remain onboard or affixed to VR-7, including a number of cameras and sensors. IS-1 will be authorized through the appropriate process with the National Telecommunications and Information Association (“NTIA”).
The demonstration will test and validate sensor capability, navigation capability, and rendezvous/proximity operations. The demo mission will use a 6U CubeSat, IS-1, to test and validate the RPO capability.[...]IS-1’s maximum linear delta-V is limited to 2 m/s and with a notional deployment mass of 10 kg, IS-1 is anticipated to be dispensed with a deployment velocity of roughly 1 m/s.
So far, U-Space has launched four satellites, with six more scheduled for production this year and next. Their first micro-satellite is expected to launch in early 2026 on Transporter-16.
The overall goal of the 3UCubed-A mission is to contribute to an understanding of how Earth’s polar upper atmosphere (‘the thermosphere’ in the auroral and cusp regions) respond to particle precipitation and varying conditions associated with solar wind forcing and internal magnetospheric processes.The satellite will be launched as a secondary payload aboard SpaceX Transporter 16, from Vandenberg Space Force Base, NET October 1, 2025. It will be inserted into a circular SSO orbit at 510 km, on an inclination from the equator of 97.4 degrees. Transmission will begin 30 minutes after deployment and cease 2 years after deployment. Atmospheric friction will slow the satellite and reduce the altitude of the orbit, until de-orbiting occurs 6.6 years after launch. See the Orbital Debris Assessment Report for details.The spacecraft is a single unit with the dimensions of three stacked 10 cm X 10 cm X 11.5 cm CubeSat modules (giving an overall dimension of 10 cm X 10 cm X 34.5 cm.) The total mass is about 3.6 kg.
The 3UCubed project is a 3U CubeSat being jointly developed by the University of New Hampshire, Sonoma State University, and Howard University as a part of the NASA Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe (IMAP) student collaboration. This project consists of a multidisciplinary team of undergraduate students from all three universities. The mission goal of the 3UCubed is to understand how Earth's polar upper atmosphere (‘the thermosphere’ in Earth’s auroral regions) responds to particle precipitation and solar wind forcing and internal magnetospheric processes.3UCubed includes two instruments with rocket heritage to achieve the science mission: an ultraviolet photomultiplier tube (UV-PMT) and electron retarding potential analyzer (ERPA). The spacecraft bus consists of the following subsystems–Attitude Determination and Control, Command and Data Handling, Power, Communication, Structural, and Thermal.[...]Our mother mission– IMAP is also projected to launch in 2025, which will let us jointly analyze the science data of the main mission, providing the solar wind measurements and inputs to the magnetosphere with that of 3UCubed, providing the response of Earth’s cusp to these inputs.
During this mission, Aethero will demonstrate the capabilities of Phobos and collect invaluable data for future Earth observation and RPO missions to be conducted by Aethero’s customers. Below is a detailed description of the Phobos mission. Once deployed, Phobos will make contact with its ground station network, as described below, to locate the satellite and issue initial commands. Phobos is equipped with a receiver onboard to provide precise GPS locations, which will be used to refine the orbital determination of the satellite for the mission duration.Phobos will be launched by Transporter 16 no earlier than February 1, 2026. Transporter 16 will deploy Phobos at approximately 510 km in a Sun-Synchronous Orbit (“SSO”) with an approximate inclination of 97.4°. At the injection orbit, Aethero will conduct a thorough and extensive evaluation and systems check of the sensor suite and control algorithms on Phobos to confirm everything is performing nominally.Once Aethero confirms that Phobos is operating nominally, it will begin its mission of imaging the Earth and the local space environment for testing and demonstration purposes. Phobos will use its onboard edge computer to process these images on-orbit before transmitting to the ground. This approach will demonstrate to potential customers how Aethero’s unique edge computing technology can enable more efficient data collection and enhance the safety of on-orbit operations.Upon completion of this demonstration, Phobos will have completed its mission. At that time, Aethero will purposefully decommission Phobos as it falls into a passive decay orbit.On-board the Phobos will be the most powerful onboard edge computer launched into space by a non-government operator, the Nvidia NX/Nano Edge Computing Module (NxN-ECM). The standard for on-orbit edge computers is currently 5 trillion operations per second, the NxN-ECM is capable of 157 tera operations per second. This 20x increase in compute power enables satellite systems to train AI/ML models onboard for data compression and analysis, which allows earth observation systems to reduce downlink needs by over 100x and achieve in-space autonomy for navigation, rendezvous, and proximity operations. Phobos will validate the NxNECM ahead of its deployment onboard an orbital transit vehicle system in 2026.
Target Launch DateFebruary 2026Launch VehicleSpaceX Transporter 16, Falcon 9Launch SiteVandenburg, California, USADimension (mm)453 x 113 x 113Perigee Altitude (km)510 ± 15Apogee Altitude (km) 510 ± 17Inclination (degrees)97.4 ± 0.5Launch mass (kg)~6.89
Eycore, an emerging developer of compact synthetic-aperture-radar (SAR) payloads, and small-satellite manufacturer Kongsberg NanoAvionics (NanoAvionics) today announced an agreement to place Eycore’s inaugural SAR demonstrator into orbit. The flight will test Eycore’s X-band radar on NanoAvionics’ flight-proven MP42 microsatellite bus, laying the groundwork for an all-European, military-grade SAR solution that provides governments with rapid, sovereign access to sub-meter, day-night, all-weather imagery. The launch aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 Transporter rideshare mission is scheduled for the first quarter of 2026.The spacecraft will operate from a 510-kilometer, sun-synchronous orbit. At the core of the mission is Eycore’s deployable active phased-array antenna. It consists of five panels, one fixed and four unfolding in space to create a large aperture without compromising launch volume. NanoAvionics’ MP42 platform will provide the necessary peak power for the payload, data downlink, as well as the attitude control agility and stability required for various imaging modes for different intelligence requirements:Stripmap for continuous swath coverage,Spotlight for sub-meter resolution of priority targets,ScanSAR for very wide-area awareness.Together, these modes enable operators to seamlessly shift from border-length surveillance to vehicle-level inspection, supporting a broad spectrum of operational needs across intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), border security, maritime domain awareness, and rapid disaster response.
Our collaboration began in 2022 as part of our In-Orbit Demonstration (IOD) mission, a key milestone in the development of Eycore’s first SAR satellite – scheduled to launch to low Earth orbit in February 2026.
Before you can see through clouds and night, you must test as you fly and fly as you test. This all-European Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite we're building for Eycore's X-band SAR demonstration is doing just that:It recently passed its vibration test campaign at our partner's V2i facilities, and despite its challenging mass distribution, performed really well.Next, we'll bring it to our in-house thermal vacuum chamber to assess its performance under cold, heat, and vacuum conditions similar to those in space, and test the complete system's electromagnetic compatibility in an anechoic chamber.Soon after, the mission will be ready to launch and lay the groundwork for an all-European, military-grade SAR solution, providing governments with rapid, sovereign access to sub-meter, day-night, all-weather imagery.
We are on a mission to pioneer the shockwave of artificial intelligence in space. To do so, we are building the world’s fastest edge computer for satellites. Today, our journey accelerates further 🚀 .We’re proud to announce that we've closed a €2.3M seed funding round, co-led by imec.istart future fund and the Flanders Future Tech Fund (managed by PMV), with continued support from imec.istart.This investment accelerates the commercialisation of our flagship EDGX Sterna Computer, a high-performance AI-capable computer that processes data directly in orbit. And momentum is building fast: - €1.1M multi-unit commercial deal signed with a satellite operator- Multiple government and institutional contracts secured- In-orbit demonstration on SpaceX Falcon 9 in February 2026 - Two additional missions confirmed for 2026
https://twitter.com/UCalgary/status/1935097649213960518UCalgary team prepares to launch city’s first student-built satellite [Jun 17
The CalgaryToSpace team from the University of Calgary is completing preparations for its first satellite, FrontierSat (CTS-SAT-1) – likely the first student-built spacecraft in the city’s history. The 3U CubeSat (approximately 30 cm in length) will investigate the rare light phenomenon STEVE in the upper atmosphere and collect data on space weather.[...]According to the plan, FrontierSat will operate at an altitude of approximately 510 km for up to seven years (the final service life will depend on solar activity). The launch is scheduled to take place on Falcon 9 via the provider Exolaunch. The initial plan for an autumn launch has been postponed, and the team is now targeting early 2026.
PEARL (Propagation Experiment using kurz-Above-band radio in Low earth orbit) -1A and PEARL-1B are two 6U XL CubeSats integrated by National Central University (NCU) are designed to perform space-to-earth and inter-satellite radio propagation channel experiments over Taiwan for educational training and scientific research. Both CubSats have the same structures and configurations. Each CubeSat will carry three payloads, an Inter-Satellite Link (ISL) payload, a Compact Ionospheric Probe (CIP), and a Perovskite Solar Cell (PSC) payload. The ISL enables over-the-horizon radio communication experiments, utilizing the Ka-band for both inter-satellite communication and space-to-ground communications. The CIP is an all-in-one in-situ ion sensor developed by NCU to measure global ionospheric ion concentration, velocity, and temperature especially to monitor ionospheric plasma irregularities resulted in radio scintillations. The PSC consists of perovskite solar cells designed to verify power efficiency by measuring their characteristics of I-V curves in space. Additionally, the CubeSats will be equipped with camera modules, which have been successfully tested on PEARL-1C and PEARL-1H missions. These two CubeSats are planned to deploy one by one almost in the same launch and are scheduled for Q1 2026, the Transporter-16 rideshare mission.[...]• Dimensions: 100 mm x 226.3 mm x 366 mm (6U XL)• Mass: 9~12 kg• Orbit: 500-600 km and SSO (Sun-synchronous orbit) / MLTAN 1400 + 60 min• Mission Time: 1~3 years
Purpose of the ExperimentLunar Outpost, Inc. seeks authorization to operate a two low Earth orbit (LEO) CubeSat ("MARS-1A” & “MARS-1B") to test an experimental software that will be deployed on both assets. The experiment will involve the following areas of study: 1) evaluate software’s mesh networking capabilities with the CubeSats and ground as nodes, creating a web-like structure that allows data to be routed dynamically through the most efficient path; 2) evaluate fleet software’s ability to provide precise ranging information relative to its counterpart asset based on novel software algorithms.
MISSION OVERVIEW• Applicant: Lunar Outpost• Satellite Name: MARS-1A & MARS-1B• Mission Type: Technology Demonstration• Mission Description: The MARS-1 mission is focused on the demonstration and testing of a novel, experimental fleet software developed by Lunar Outpost to more precisely coordinate communications and PNT services across multiple assets. The MARS-1 mission includes the MARS-1A and MARS-1B satellites. The satellites will launch from Vandenberg AFB as a payload on Exotrail US SpaceVan Orbital Transfer Vehicle. The mission begins with a combined 6U satellite being deployed from the Exotrail SpaceVan; once detumbled, the single 6U will decouple and deploy into two individual 3U assets (MARS-1A and MARS-1B) that will demonstrate the novel software experiment.• Launch Vehicle: SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5 (Transporter 16)• Launch Date: February 2026• Launch Site: SLC-4E. Vandenberg SFB, California, USA• Deployment Platform: Exotrail SpaceVan• Deployment Altitude: ~520 km circular• Inclination: 97.48°• Planned Mission Duration: 2 years• Satellite Mass: 4.90 kg/unit• Size: 2x 3U CubeSats (10 x 10 x 30 cm)
MARS-1 mission involves launching and operating a 6U satellite that will separate into two 3U satellites to test and validate novel fleet coordination software technologies in low Earth orbit. This mission is aligned with the United States Air Force goals in advancing fleet technology development for in-space applications.AFRL has entered into a cooperative agreement, known as a Strategic Financing (STRATFI) contract, to advance the development of the novel fleet technology that will be demonstrated on-mission through the MARS-1 satellites.
Lunar Outpost today announced MARS-1, a mission to evaluate the performance of its Mobile Autonomous Robotic Swarms (MARS). MARS was developed by Lunar Outpost for the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) and U.S. Space Force SpaceWERX. The mission will conduct decentralized, cross-domain swarm operations in low Earth orbit, demonstrating the ability to command robotic workforces that will establish infrastructure in space. [...]MARS-1 will consist of two small spacecraft, each running Lunar Outpost’s MARS software and operating in tandem to demonstrate MARS capabilities. Designed for decentralized coordination across heterogeneous assets, MARS enables autonomous systems to work together as a single, resilient unit—even if communication with mission control is interrupted. The mission will test early cross-domain mesh networking and experimental positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) capabilities. MARS-1 payloads will be onboard Exotrail’s spacevan™ orbital transfer vehicle on their “Wings of Light” mission. It is planned for launch in early 2026 on SpaceX’s Transporter-16 rideshare.
Our spacevan™’ is at Airbus facilities in Toulouse! With customer payloads on board we progress on Environmental integrated tests, keeping us on track for a flight in Q1 2026!
Lunar Outpost, Inc. seeks authorization to operate a two low Earth orbit (LEO) CubeSat ("MARS-1A & MARS-1B") to test an experimental software that will be deployed on both assets.Operation Start Date: 12/01/2025Operation End Date: 05/31/2026
Primary mission objectives:1. Measure the X-ray flux emitted by the atmosphere and the precipitating electron distribution, and use these measurements to determine the precipitating flux and energy deposition2. Image the X-ray emitting region to measure the spatial extent of precipitation eventsThe satellite will be launched aboard on Exotrail SpaceVan-002 aboard SpaceX Transporter 16, no earlier than February 1, 2026. Transmission will begin thirty minutes after deployment, and cease at mission end of life or by command at end of useful life. From the Orbital Debris assessment report, from the orbit of 510 km circular, 97.8 degrees inclination, atmospheric friction will slow the satellite and reduce the altitude of the orbit, until de-orbiting occurs less than 1.5 years after launch. See the Orbital Debris Assessment Report for details.The spacecraft is a single unit with the dimensions of a standard 6U CubeSat stack consisting of six CubeSat modules (giving an overall dimension of 10.0 x 22.6 x 36.6 cm, not including solar panel extents). The total mass is about 14.2 Kg.
Exotrail, a European leader in space mobility solutions, has signed a service contract with Rennes-based Cailabs to carry and operate ATLAS-1 communication payload onboard its upcoming spacevan™ mission. This mission, scheduled for launch in Q1 2026, is part of Exotrail’s expanding hosted payload program, which provides a flexible and cost-efficient alternative to full satellite missions for customers willing to showcase and mature their technology in orbit.
QuantX Labs, a world-leader in precision timing and quantum sensor technologies, is gearing up for a major milestone in Australian space technology, as it prepares to launch its leading-edge technology into space. In concert with French space logistics company Exotrail, QuantX will launch a key component of its atomic clock technology, TEMPO, hosted on the spacevan™ vehicle departing on a SpaceX mission in December 2025 at the earliest.With the support of a $3.7 million grant from the Australian Space Agency’s Moon to Mars initiative, QuantX Labs will launch a key sub-system of their next-generation optical atomic clock. This investment reflects the Agency’s strong focus, foresight, and belief in the Australian space industry, fostering sovereign capabilities that will position Australia as a leader in space-based precision timing and navigation.
