Interstellar Communication Holdings to Launch First icMercury Satellite in Collaboration With Hydra Space and SmartIR

Interstellar Communication Holdings announced a collaboration with Hydra Space and SmartIR to launch the first icMercury satellite HADES-ICM. The satellite is scheduled to launch aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9 launch vehicle in Q1 2025.

HADES-ICM, a 1.5p PocketQube satellite manufactured by Hydra Space, is going to carry a small hardware payload to support the testing of a low-power active graphene radiator developed by SmartIR. This exploration will take place under the challenging conditions of space, providing valuable insights into the viability of such technology for future missions.

The harsh conditions of space can cause extreme temperature fluctuations, which present significant challenges for satellite performance. Current thermal management solutions often involve heavy and power-intensive systems. Through this mission, Interstellar Communication is supporting efforts to explore more efficient alternatives that could benefit the broader space industry.

"We're delighted to contribute to this mission by supporting the HADES-ICM platform," shared Pablo Durban, CEO of Hydra Space Systems. "By facilitating cost-effective in-orbit demonstrations via PocketQubes, we're driving innovation in space technology and fostering synergy within the industry."

“This mission provides us the opportunity to further validate our research findings in-orbit, a critical step toward making thermal control more efficient for future missions”, said Dr. Margherita Sepioni, CEO and Founder at SmartIR. “Partnering with Interstellar Communication and Hydra Space reflects our shared dedication to innovation and the broader goal of supporting the space industry as a whole.”

“We believe that meaningful advancements in space technology come from strong, collaborative partnerships,” said Lijie Zhu, Chair of Interstellar Communication Holdings. “By working together with Hydra Space, and SmartIR, on the first icMercury mission, we are reinforcing our commitment to trust, teamwork, and contributing to the industry's ongoing development. This collaboration is a step forward in exploring innovative solutions that can benefit the broader space community.”

Source: Interstellar Communication Holdings media announcement