Space services firms Monentus and Solstar Space have announced a three-year, $15 million partnership to expand LEO communications and space infrastructure services, serving government, commercial, and space agency markets.

“Momentus and Solstar are well-positioned to deliver the end-to-end infrastructure that future space architectures demand,” Momentus CEO John Rood said.

“Our 2026 spaceflight will enable our companies to demonstrate real-time, continuous communication with space systems across diverse mission profiles - unlocking greater capabilities for the commercial sector.”

The partnership hybridizes certain technologies between the two companies, such as the integration of Sante Fe-based Solstar’s Deke Space Communicator into Missouri-based Momentus’ Vigoride space tug OTV, and an orbital platform through Momentus for Solstar to demonstrate its persistent WiFi, intelligent data relay in space, and downstream capabilities.

Solstar’s communications payload will be launched on the upcoming Vioride-7 mission with SpaceX in February 2026, which will connect telemetry, tracking, and command (TT&C) services for Momentus and provide data relay service to two other Momentus customers simultaneously. This solution functions like a WiFi hotspot in space, able to communicate with any WiFi-connected device on Earth.

The companies propose that these kinds of connections would serve defense needs, as well as in-space assembly and manufacturing (ISAM) and rendezvous, proximity operations, and docking (RPOD), such as satellite refueling, servicing, and space station networks, crucial to the sustainability of a proliferated LEO satellite environment.

“In-space communications have been severely limited by crucial missing pieces,” Solstar CEO Brian Barnett said.

“Outdated space comms approaches originating in the 1960s oftentimes leave space assets disconnected. Solstar is filling those space communications gaps just as Momentus is filling gaps for spacecraft and payload deployment and in-space servicing. Together we are removing roadblocks to advancing space operations.”

In September, Momentus’s stock soared following the award of a $5.1m NASA Flight Opportunities program contract concerning the demonstration of in-space crystallization for pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, and advanced materials in collaboration with SpaceWorks Enterprises and Astral Materials.