Past Missions
We have a proven track record of delivering working flight systems.
Image credit: NASA
CAPSTONE propulsion system
Stellar Exploration designed, built, and delivered the propulsion system for NASA’s 12U CAPSTONE mission to the moon.
EG-3 propulsion system
Stellar Exploration designed, built, and delivered the propulsion system within only 9 months for the Echostar Corporation’s EG-3 mission. Shortly after launch, the EG-3 satellite generated ~65 m/s of ∆V, breaking the world record for small satellites, with enough fuel left for another ~485 m/s throughout the mission for additional maneuvers and de-orbiting.
commercial sar nanosatellite Power systems
Stellar Exploration has designed and delivered dozens of high-current power systems for ICEYE’s Synthetic Aperture Radar imaging satellite constellation. Among all of our missions, Stellar Exploration’s has flown approximately 4000 lithium-ion cells in orbit, matching the battery capacity of a Prius.
Image credit: NASA
NASA PACE rf tag payload
Stellar Exploration designed and developed the passive RF tag for satellite tracking on NASA’s PACE-1 and PACE-2 satellites.
Lightsail-A
Two Lightsail satellites were designed, integrated and fully tested by Stellar, under contract with The Planetary Society, well under 2 years and within $1.5M budget. The development phase lasted from 2010-2013 and two units were delivered for launch in 2015 and 2016. Lightsail is a sophisticated solar sailing propulsion demonstration with a 3U form factor, with the largest deployment ratio ever: 8 meters tip-to-tip, 32 m2, 4 kg. It included cameras, inertial sensors, and accelerometer and laser ranging sensors.
Perseus-M satellites
Two AIS satellites were launched in June 2014. The Stellar team was responsible for project leadership and design, system integration and early on-orbit mission operations, under contract with Dauria Aerospace. The satellites were launched in an unprecedented 8 months after project authorization.
UPCOMING MISSIONS
We accept demanding missions and developing technology to enable new mission profiles.
Our upcoming missions include propulsion systems for an ESPA-class satellite traveling to Mars, a DOD mission for a highly maneuverable satellite constellation, and in-space refueling capabilities.
Want to join us? See our careers page.