UK Space Agency Backs Lodestar Space Ground Demonstration
Mithril Avionics Stack to Be Installed Aboard the Impulse Space Mira Spacecraft
The UK Space Agency’s International Bilateral Fund (IBF) has awarded funding to Lodestar Space to accelerate the integration and on-the-ground demonstration of Lodestar’s Mithril avionics stack aboard the Impulse Space Mira spacecraft. The project is a trilateral collaboration between Lodestar Space (UK), University College London (UK), and Impulse Space (US).
“By aligning our technologies, we’ll demonstrate the track, characterize, and effect capability of Lodestar’s AI autonomy software—Mithril—on Impulse’s Mira spacecraft.”
Thomas Santini, Lodestar Space
Lodestar’s Mithril avionics will deliver the UK’s first sovereign payload for on-orbit detection and characterization of space targets, advancing the ability to assess and respond to emerging threats in orbit. For the test, the payload will be hosted on Impulse’s Mira spacecraft, a highly maneuverable vehicle for dynamic space operations, with proven flight heritage. The initiative will showcase real-time autonomy and maneuverability, strengthening UK-US collaboration and supporting the growing need for sustainable, safe, and assured space operations.
“This is a critical integration de-risking opportunity for both companies,” said Thomas Santini, CTO of Lodestar Space. “By aligning our technologies, we’ll demonstrate the track, characterize, and effect capability of Lodestar’s AI autonomy software—Mithril—on Impulse’s Mira spacecraft, laying the groundwork for future deployments for UK-US military missions and proving the real-world readiness of autonomous in-orbit Protect and Defend.”
The IBF project will culminate in a live hardware-in-the-loop customer ground demonstration at Impulse’s headquarters, validating the system and de-risking a planned future UK-US orbital launch. By combining Lodestar’s sovereign avionics technology, UCL’s research expertise, and Impulse’s agile Mira spacecraft, the project will advance tactically responsive space-based Space Domain Awareness (SDA) capabilities for UK and US security and commercial needs.
“This project reflects Mira’s strengths when serving as a hosting platform: the ability to provide an agile, responsive, and high delta-v spacecraft that, paired with a payload like Mithril, can unlock new mission profiles on orbit,” said Eric Romo, President and Chief Operating Officer of Impulse Space. “We’re looking forward to collaborating with Lodestar and the University College London on this project backed by the UK Space Agency.”