Swiss startup Stellar Alpina has introduced two new spacecraft: the Monarch orbiter and the Morpho lunar lander. The company, which initially focused on rotating detonation rocket engines, has shifted its strategy to developing vehicles that utilize the efficiency of its propulsion technology.
Monarch is designed for high-delta-V missions, including orbital transport and defense applications. The orbiter is launcher-agnostic and capable of reaching geostationary orbit when launched by European microlaunchers. Stellar Alpina plans to operate a fleet of these satellites and offer mobility-as-a-service, with pricing models based on delta-V consumption.
The Morpho lunar lander is currently in development and shares the architectural foundation of the Monarch orbiter. Its deployment timeline remains dependent on the market performance of the Monarch. The company views Morpho as a potential commercial complement to the European Space Agency's Argonaut lander.
Stellar Alpina has conducted over 150 tests of its rotating detonation rocket engines. The company is currently working on a water-cooled engine prototype to address thermal management challenges. The firm has not yet performed an orbital flight test of its propulsion systems.
