Lux Aeterna founder and chief executive Brian Taylor outlines the company’s next steps in on-orbit servicing in a newly published interview, detailing a roadmap built around reusable satellites capable of controlled atmospheric reentry.
Created in December 2024, the startup aims to apply to satellites the reusability model already adopted for launchers. Its platforms are designed from the outset with an integrated thermal protection system and guided reentry capability, enabling return of both payload and structure, refurbishment on the ground and relaunch.
The first implementation is the Delphi platform, a demonstrator intended to fly hosted payloads and materials into orbit before returning them to Earth. The initial Delphi mission is targeted for launch in the first quarter of 2027 on a SpaceX vehicle, with landing planned at Australia’s Koonibba Test Range via partner Southern Launch. A 10 million dollar seed round announced in March 2026 is funding Delphi’s design, construction and the debut flight.
Taylor sets out a dual approach combining on-orbit servicing — inspection, limited repair, life‑extension operations and potential towing or relocation — with ground-based inspection and heavy maintenance after return. He presents a long‑term vision in which satellites are treated as reusable assets that can be upgraded dynamically, potentially reducing constellation renewal costs, shortening deployment timelines and limiting orbital debris through controlled deorbit of platforms.