COMMSTAR SPACE COMMUNICATIONS™ ANNOUNCES ITS INTENTION TO DEPLOY NEXT-GENERATION HYBRID DATA RELAY SATELLITE BETWEEN THE EARTH AND THE MOON BY 2023

The provision of advanced “end-to-end” data communications services between the Earth and the Moon requires access to significant infrastructure, not only in space, but also across the Earth. CommStar Space is developing commercial, interconnection relationships with communications service providers, which will permit “On-Net” access to an existing, privately-financed, multi-billion-dollar, diverse global infrastructure – space, ground, fiber, cloud storage, hardware, and software – under industry standard terms. These service providers are owner/operators of significant global network infrastructure, such as fiber, data storage, software computing systems, and disbursed ground stations. All are currently or have been service suppliers to US & European Government departments and agencies, including NASA, ESA, USAF, of terrestrial telecommunication services. CommStar Space is simply extending their existing suite of offering to and from the Moon.

CommStar-1 is designed for the next-generation systems and entrepreneur businesses that are leading the way to the return to the Moon.  These firms must design their spacecraft and their business models for the harsh realities of space travel, a possible lunar landing, and whilst pursuing their science or commercial goals. Every KG of weight carried to space must make or could break a lunar business case. Having the confidence that there will be a network access point 85% closer to them than the Earth provides greater certainty and reduces a potential unnecessary capital expenditure. That is the primary role of CommStar-1 – to relieve weight sensitive lunar ventures from having to try to connect directly to the Earth. The capabilities of CommStar-1 are being discussed today amongst new ventures in the space business community; companies planning a diverse range of commercial activities on the Moon. These space entrepreneurs have expressed initial interest in using CommStar-1 to ensure reliable and efficient communications services. In addition, these companies will certainly stimulate additional business opportunities for aerospace designers and suppliers for new communications equipment and software – lighter, more efficient, cost-effective – the primary purpose of which will be to connect with CommStar-1.

Currently, space communications have been primarily the responsibility of government owned, operated communications networks and managers. Commercial company participation has been as vendors of communications equipment, facilities, or as an O&M network manager of taxpayer funded hardware and software infrastructure for government space and defense agencies. International space agencies, such as NASA and ESA, would like to see those infrastructure costs and responsibilities transferred to the private sector, leaving government agencies free to buy communications services – as a customer, not owner/operator – from commercial providers, and focus limited taxpayer resources on space platforms and “off-planet” exploration – manned or unmanned. 

NASA has publicly committed to the Trump Administration’s policy of commercialization of space communications in hopes the commercial sector – US, UK, European – will step-forward to exploit this new opportunity.