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Lux Aeterna Raises $10 Million for Reusable Satellite Demo Slated for 2027

The SpaceX alumnus aims to validate a heat-shielded satellite bus that returns payloads intact.

Overview

  • Konvoy led the $10 million seed round with Decisive Point, Cubit Capital, Wave Function, Space Capital, Dynamo Ventures and Channel 39 participating, bringing total funding to $14 million after an oversubscribed raise.
  • Delphi‑1 is scheduled to launch on a SpaceX rideshare in the first quarter of 2027, carry hosted payloads, and attempt recovery at Australia’s Koonibba Test Range under a partnership with Southern Launch.
  • Lux Aeterna plans a parachute drop test by late June and a critical design review in early April, fielding a 200‑kg craft built around a rigid heat-shield structure with autonomous guidance and a heritage chemical propulsion system.
  • The inaugural mission is fully booked by commercial and defense customers targeting hypersonic testing, on‑orbit computing and in‑space manufacturing, with 30 kg of payload capacity on this vehicle.
  • The company is choosing Australian landings as U.S. reentry licensing remains difficult, reflecting a regulatory environment shaped by Varda’s FAA experience and ongoing capsule efforts from Inversion.