The Digester

SpaceX veteran’s startup aims to make satellites returnable to Earth

Mar 20th 2026

Lux Aeterna, founded by SpaceX alum Brian Taylor, raised $10 million to develop satellites with built-in heat shields and will test its Delphi spacecraft on a SpaceX launch in 2027 with Australian recovery.

  • Lux Aeterna raised a $10 million seed round led by Konvoy to build reentry-capable satellites.
  • Founder Brian Taylor says the company is developing the Delphi spacecraft with a built-in heat shield to survive reentry.
  • Delphi has a confirmed spot on a SpaceX launch expected in Q1 2027 and will return payloads to Australia’s Koonibba Test Range via Southern Launch.
  • Lux plans to make communications and Earth observation satellites reusable so components can be upgraded and refurbished on Earth.
  • Lux is testing in Australia because U.S. reentry licensing and regulatory processes remain challenging but are expected to evolve over the next few years.

Articles