Solstar Connects NASA Cubesat Using Orbital Wi-Fi

The successful demonstration transmitted thousands of data files during a 30-minute proximity mission in space.

Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Space

Isometric editorial illustration showing a cubesat satellite linked to an orbital service platform in the black vacuum of deep space. — Solstar successfully demonstrated orbital Wi-Fi connectivity between a NASA cubesat and a service vehicle, transferring thousands of data files to Earth. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Solstar recently demonstrated a new space-based connectivity capability by linking a NASA cubesat to an orbital service vehicle using Wi-Fi. The mission successfully transferred more than 2,300 files containing complex mission data to the Johnson Space Center.

Why it matters

This demonstration marks a new level of connectivity for spacecraft operating in close proximity to one another. The mission also generated critical training data for artificial intelligence models intended for future autonomous space operations.

Solstar utilized the Deke Space Communicator for the 30-minute connection, relying on the Iridium constellation to relay data to Earth. Ground-based testing previously verified that the communication link range exceeded 200 meters.

The players

Solstar

This San Francisco-based company focuses on developing space-based communication technologies and systems for orbital operations.

NASA Johnson Space Center

This facility serves as the primary hub for human spaceflight training, research, and flight control operations in the United States.

Iridium Communications

This satellite company operates a large constellation of active satellites that provide voice and data communication coverage across the globe.

Encore Technologies Corp.

This firm is a venture-backed investor that provides capital for emerging technologies in the aerospace and communication sectors.

The details

During the mission, a Wi-Fi-enabled cubesat connected directly to the Deke Space Communicator mounted on the Vigoride-7 vehicle. The transmitted files included optical, infrared, and lidar data, which were successfully routed through the Iridium communications network.

June 2026: Encore Technologies Corp. invested $1 million in Solstar.
October 20, 2026: Solstar announced the results of the mission.

The Big Picture

The success of this orbital Wi-Fi test extends the connectivity capabilities currently being explored by the NASA autonomous satellite mission research programs. This milestone shifts the discipline toward modular and autonomous servicing models by proving that close-range high-speed data relay is viable in space.

This technology could eventually lead to more efficient and cheaper satellite manufacturing and servicing operations in orbit. By enabling autonomous coordination, these advancements may reduce the cost and complexity of future lunar and orbital missions.

The takeaway

This successful transmission of over 2,300 data files proves that commercial Wi-Fi components can effectively support orbital proximity operations. Future applications for this connectivity include advanced satellite servicing and large-scale manufacturing operations in space.