Lodestar

Lodestar (LODESTAR SPACE LTD, UK company number 14473705) develops autonomous space robotics for in-orbit security. Its stated mission is to build an autonomous AI fighter-pilot for space to power in-orbit bodyguard satellites and deliver orbital defence as a service to high-value US and allied assets, while providing dexterous capability to inspect, protect and repair critical orbital infrastructure. The product line is branded Mithril; the first iteration comprises a suite of machine vision sensors and an edge-compute platform (described by the company as the "eyes" and "brain"), with later iterations planned to add effectors and an integrated robotic arm for rendezvous and proximity operations.

The technical approach centres on a platform-agnostic robotics system starting with a dexterous robotic arm designed to operate under radiation and extreme temperatures, paired with a computer vision system built on a proprietary neural network model that interprets target structures and materials and executes contact dynamics under supervised autonomy. Hardware is designed to be modular so that end effectors — potentially including a refuelling interface — can be swapped, with the company describing an eventual "utility belt" of interoperable tools. Beyond defence, Lodestar states it intends to support future civil and commercial in-space servicing, assembly and manufacturing (ISAM) missions once Mithril's planned capabilities are demonstrated.

The company presents itself publicly under the line "building the last piece of deterrence" and lists a live orbital mission, ALECTO, flying on a Momentus Vigoride-7 bus.

Founding story

The idea for Lodestar originated while cofounder Thomas Santini was a founder in residence at Entrepreneur First in the UK. The founders initially pursued 3D printing and large-scale construction in orbit, but concluded that the in-space manufacturing market was immature and that terrestrial 3D printers were poorly suited to space. Focusing instead on the underlying robotics that such printers would attach to, they identified an opportunity to sell robotic services to commercial and defence customers; CEO Neil Buchanan described space security as the "hair on fire" problem, citing a European capability gap relative to China and Russia. Santini, a former Dyson engineer who built a 3D printing company at 15 and holds a First Class Master's in Integrated Design Engineering from the University of Bath, had earlier researched robotics and composite materials for 3D printing lunar and Martian habitats with ESA support.

Business model

Lodestar sells robotic and orbital-defence capability as a service to commercial and government/defence customers, positioning its systems to inspect, protect and repair high-value satellites. It has also used non-dilutive government funding (UK Space Agency grant, European Space Agency backing) alongside venture capital to fund development, and buys rideshare capacity on third-party missions (for example a GBP 45,000 slot on Exotopic's GMSS flight) to demonstrate hardware in orbit.

Sources describe selling robotic services to commercial and defence customers and delivering orbital defence as a service, supplemented by grant and challenge funding; no pricing or revenue figures are disclosed.

Traction

Raised over $2.5M by mid-2024 and had eight people on the team at that time (a later self-reported company profile lists an 11-50 band). Conducted first zero-gravity testing of its electrical, mechanical and vision systems with the Aurelia Institute and MIT Space Exploration Initiative academics, and aimed at an in-orbit demonstration with an uncooperative space asset by the end of 2025. Its first flight sends the initial Mithril iteration on Exotopic's Give Me Some Space mission expected in early 2026, and its website advertises a live orbital mission, ALECTO, on a Momentus Vigoride-7 bus. One directory lists the company's development status with a first launch of 2025.

Latest developments

Lodestar's first flight to space places the initial Mithril iteration — machine vision sensors and edge compute — on Exotopic's Give Me Some Space in-orbit mission expected to launch in early 2026, for a stated GBP 45,000. During the mission Mithril will deploy a boom stick fitted with varied materials to test imaging of satellites against different backgrounds. The company website advertises a live orbital mission named ALECTO flying on a Momentus Vigoride-7 bus and carries a 2026 copyright notice.