Questions about IOD, missions and working with SATELYX.

IOD stands for In-Orbit Demonstration. It is a mission designed to prove that space technology can operate in its intended environment. See the shared mission path SATELYX manages.

IOD commonly focuses on demonstrating that a technology operates in orbit. IOV, or In-Orbit Validation, focuses on collecting evidence against defined performance criteria. A mission can do both, so SATELYX uses IOD/IOV when the work includes demonstration and validation.

Flight heritage is credible evidence that a technology has operated in space. Its value depends on what flew, the conditions, the data collected and whether the result is relevant to the next buyer or mission. Read the flight heritage guide for the evidence buyers usually need.

Ground qualification remains essential, but it cannot reproduce every environmental and operational condition of a live mission. In-orbit testing adds evidence from the intended environment. It complements ground work rather than replacing it.

A shared IOD mission supports several compatible demonstrations within one managed mission architecture. SATELYX coordinates the satellite, integration, operations and data delivery, while each customer has defined objectives and evidence needs. Explore the current mission model.

Yes. Software IOD can test algorithms, autonomy, onboard processing or edge-compute workloads against mission data and agreed success criteria. Use the mission review to share the software environment, inputs, outputs and evidence you need.

Useful inputs include the technology description, objectives, success criteria, interfaces, resource needs, operating concept, data needs, maturity and preferred timing. Start with the mission-fit form; the technical review then confirms what else is required.

SATELYX runs shared in-orbit demonstration (IOD) missions for space hardware and software. Through IOD as a Service, we integrate your hardware or software into a shared mission and manage the bus, integration, launch, operations and data delivery, lowering the cost and burden of obtaining flight heritage. Every technology we validate joins the SATELYX catalogue of proven, redeployable building blocks, which we assemble into turnkey satellites and capabilities on demand for governments and companies.

Rideshare provides launch capacity, while payload hosting provides space on another operator’s platform. SATELYX runs a shared validation mission and manages how the technologies work with the bus, the mission plan and operations. The goal is flight evidence and a repeatable deployment path, rather than transport to orbit alone.

Each successful validation adds flight evidence, known interfaces, operational constraints and integration knowledge to the catalogue. That record turns validated technology into one of the SATELYX catalogue’s proven, redeployable building blocks, which we assemble into turnkey satellites and capabilities on demand. For the technology providers who flew with us, that creates further commercial opportunities: your technology can be selected for what we assemble. Your IP stays yours, and reuse terms are set in your agreement with SATELYX.

SATELYX assesses hardware and software against the mission. Hardware paths can include sensors, instruments, communications, propulsion and onboard-compute systems. Software teams can discuss running their own models, algorithms or data pipelines on SATELYX edge-compute infrastructure. Mission fit is assessed case by case against the technology’s technical and operational requirements.

VLEO Pathfinder targets Q4 2027 as the first SATELYX-led catalogue validation mission. It is planned as a shared, multi-payload mission in Very Low Earth Orbit. SATELYX assesses each partner’s fit against mass, power, data, pointing, mechanical, thermal and operational requirements rather than publishing a standard payload allocation.

Mission 0 was flown with a partner in Q4 2024 as the team’s technology-transfer and edge-compute experiments in orbit. It gave the team experience across satellite integration and operations. VLEO Pathfinder is the first SATELYX-led catalogue validation mission.

Start by sharing your technology, mission objective and the evidence you need from orbit. SATELYX reviews mission fit, then works with you on the integration path, interfaces, test milestones and validation plan. The schedule and deliverables are set for the specific mission after the technical review.

You provide the technology, its requirements and the engineering knowledge behind it. SATELYX manages the agreed mission scope, including the bus, integration, operations, data delivery and launch capacity. Responsibilities, evidence and other deliverables are confirmed for each mission before work begins.

SATELYX prices missions case by case. The commercial proposal follows the technical review and reflects the technology, integration work, mission requirements and agreed deliverables. We do not publish a standard payload price because mission fit and scope differ.

SATELYX is operated by Satelyx Holdings Limited, a company registered in England and Wales, with operations and commercial activity across Asia-Pacific. Our team is distributed across the UK, Portugal, Taiwan and Japan, and we work with partners and customers globally.