Golden-based Lunar Outpost has announced a mission, MARS-1, to evaluate the capabilities of its Mobile Autonomous Robotic Swarms. This initiative is developed for the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory and U.S. Space Force SpaceWERX and focuses on demonstrating decentralized robotic operations in low Earth orbit. The mission is considered critical for establishing infrastructure in space.
Justin Cyrus, CEO of Lunar Outpost, said, “The new space race hinges on our ability to build and persist in outer space. Constructing the critical infrastructure to support the next phase of the space economy requires the large-scale deployment and management of heterogeneous autonomous systems.” He noted that MARS-1 will show how robots can work together effectively in challenging environments without constant human oversight.
The MARS-1 mission will involve two small spacecraft using MARS software to test their coordination and communication abilities. The launch is scheduled for early 2026 through SpaceX’s Transporter-16 rideshare program, utilizing Exotrail’s orbital transfer vehicle.
Lunar Outpost is also expanding its mission pipeline, which includes seven contracted lunar and cislunar missions, and is involved in NASA’s Artemis program, which aims to establish a permanent lunar base.
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