Solstar will develop Lunar Wi-Fi Access Point to provide robust, multi-band connectivity for astronauts, surface vehicles, and moon orbiting assets.
SANTA FE, N.M., Sept. 29, 2025 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Solstar Space (Solstar), a pioneer in space-based communications, has been awarded a NASA Phase I Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract valued at $150,000 to develop a next-generation Lunar Wi-Fi Access Point (LWIFI-AP) to support the agency's Artemis program and Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiatives.
NASA has identified critical communication infrastructure requirements to support its upcoming missions as momentum builds around lunar exploration. One crucial aspect of the Artemis and CLPS programs includes deployment of SWaP-efficient (Size, Weight, and Power) Wi-Fi and 3GPP communications hardware across a range of lunar assets. This will include landers, rovers, and habitats as well as cislunar (moon orbit) spacecraft and assets like the Lunar Gateway.
Solstar's proposed LWIFI-AP is designed to meet NASA's demand for a space-rated, multi-mode, multi-protocol, and multi-band wireless access points capable of operating in extreme lunar conditions. This system will enable robust communications between astronauts, robotic systems, lunar vehicles, lunar surface-based and cislunar orbital assets. Solstar's LWIFI-AP will be engineered to support real-time mission data flow, navigation, and scientific collaboration.
Founder and CEO, Solstar Space Company, Brian Barnett said,
"Just like Wi-Fi revolutionized life on Earth, it will be essential for living and working on the Moon. Solstar's mission has always been to keep people and systems connected in space, and this award moves us one step closer to enabling that vision for lunar missions.
"We are excited to contribute to NASA's Artemis and CLPS programs by developing the communications infrastructure that future lunar operations will depend on.
"Receiving this SBIR award is a milestone for Solstar and for space-based connectivity. As NASA prepares for a sustained human presence on the Moon, commercial innovation will be essential. With the Solstar LWIFI-AP, we aim to bring commercial-grade connectivity to the Moon, enabling seamless communication between crew, equipment, and mission control. We are proud to lead the way in developing the Wi-Fi backbone for the lunar economy."
NASA's technical requirements include the use of Wi-Fi across mission systems and subsystems within Artemis, such as the Human Landing System (HLS), CLPS payloads, Lunar Terrain Vehicle (LTV) services, and the Lunar Gateway's Habitation and Logistics Outpost (HALO) and airlock module. Today, a commercial solution meeting these requirements is unavailable. The NASA SBIR contract with Solstar will support development of a commercial product which meets the space qualification and environmental hardening needed for these mission-critical operations.
Solstar's solution will address these challenges by providing hardware engineered for radiation tolerance, thermal survivability and low-SWaP constraints. The space qualified Solstar LWIFI-AP will fill a key technology gap for NASA and its network of Artemis and CLPS contractors.
The work performed under this Phase I contract will lay the foundation for a future flight-ready system capable of being hosted on a wide range of lunar mission platforms.
To learn more about Solstar in-space communications solutions, visit www.solstarspace.com.
Media Inquiries | Lisa Dreher | [email protected] | +1 425-442-1301
Investor Inquiries | Brian Barnett | [email protected] | +1 505-389-2299
Business Inquiries | Brian Barnett | [email protected] | +1 505-389-2299
ABOUT SOLSTAR SPACE
Solstar Space is the leading commercial space-based connectivity company pioneering the use of persistent communications services for all types of on-orbit assets including satellites, space stations, launch vehicles, and more. We provide an internet connection between spacecraft and Earth-based payload managers, satellite operators, and enable communications for crewed missions in sub-orbit, LEO, and cis-lunar and lunar surface operations.
Our fast, reliable services, space-tested routers, WiFi access points and hotspots, and space-based satellite data relays are being developed to deliver on-orbit connectivity and are supported by 24/7 customer care. These devices are installed on satellites and spacecraft prior to launch to keep crew, spacecraft, and Earth-based satellite operations teams connected. Visit https://www.solstarspace.com.
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Media Contact
Lisa Dreher, Solstar Space, 1 4254421301, [email protected], Solstar Space
SOURCE Solstar Space
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