The award was delivered by Space South Central, the UK regional space cluster.
The R&D grant will fund the integration and testing of a new LiDAR sensor – part of a project named ECLIPSE – within the company’s on-orbit sensing suite, dubbed Mithril.
Lodestar Space’s aim is to deliver orbital defence as a service. To this end it is developing the fully-autonomous system to power in-orbit “bodyguard satellites”.
Lodestar Space
According to the company, Mithril is the first fully autonomous, AI-powered on-orbit payload designed to detect, classify, and respond to other spacecraft in orbit. The system integrates LiDAR with machine vision, and onboard AI. Basically it will enable satellites to assess threats, support docking and servicing operations, and act without human intervention.
“LiDAR sensing between satellites is challenging and this funding helps us de-risk a critical part of Mithril’s technology,” said Esther Rayssiguie, Chief Robotics Officer at Lodestar Space.
“Mithril represents a shift towards smarter, faster, more autonomous space operations and with SECP’s support, we’re bringing that future closer.”
London
Work on ECLIPSE will take place at Lodestar’s London headquarters. It will be using its in-house In-Orbit Servicing, Assembly and Manufacturing (IOSM) testbed. This is a simulated space environment designed to replicate in-orbit visual conditions.
The technology will feed directly into Lodestar’s future payloads, it says.
Flight demonstrations are due for launch in 2026.
SECP
The SECP is a £1.4 million UK Space Agency initiative to support smaller, high-growth space companies. It is led by the Midlands Aerospace Alliance and it involves “rapid development grants” of up to £30,000.
Delivery is through six regional clusters. And Space South Central represents the South East of England and the Isle of Wight.
Dr Louise Butt, Director of Space South Central, said:
“Space South Central exists to help innovators like Lodestar turn pioneering concepts into commercial reality. Our cluster plays a vital role in supporting high-potential businesses across the region by connecting them with national funding, strategic partners, and technical expertise.”
“Rapid R&D investment, such as that provided through the SECP grant, is essential to raising Technology Readiness Levels and accelerating the journey from concept to commercial deployment. By enabling companies to de-risk critical technologies and demonstrate capability early, we’re helping the UK lead in space domain awareness and in-orbit servicing.”
Image: Lodestar/Space South Central
See also: University College London joins Space South Central
