Company - Lunasa Space (Lúnasa Space)
Product/Service - VIA
- Classification
- In-Space Transportation
- Category
- Space Tug
Transport Service (Earth-LEO)
Orbital Transportation
Hardware
Software
- Fields
- Reusable
Transport Service (In-Space)
- Status
- Development, Concept
- First launch
- 2024
VIA
VIA is Lúnasa’s first generation vehicle, a reusable, dual-stage, and automated miniature space station, offering ridesharing (last-mile delivery) and life-extension services for satellites in Low-Earth Orbit (LEO).
Our next generation vehicles will be more advanced and located in higher Earth orbits, providing a range of in-orbit services for satellites.
- The SPRINT project will support the development of the company’s rendezvous proximity operations and docking (RPOD) technology. The primary objective of the SPRINT project is to accelerate the development of Lúnasa’s rendezvous and docking capabilities, identify suitable avionics and electronics, and further develop the concept of operations (CONOPs) in orbit.
- The technology is set for an orbital demonstration mission by late 2023. Lúnasa’s dual-stage in-space satellite servicing vehicle will be utilising the RPOD technology to become reusable and perform in-orbit satellite services.
- The first-of-its-kind vehicle will fit the type of launch vehicles planned for use from UK spaceports, offering satellite operators opportunities to reach otherwise unattainable or fuel-exhaustive orbits.
- This project, funded in partnership with the Satellite Applications Catapult at Harwell will focus on de-risking the vehicle’s rendezvous proximity operations and docking capabilities.
Status Comment / Notes
Sources
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