Spacedock to demonstrate modular payload interface with Oligo and Melagen

SAN FRANCISCO – Spacedock, a Silicon Valley startup formerly known as Orbital Outpost X, announced plans Aug. 20 for a 2026 in-space demonstration of a universal connector for space systems.

Working with launch integrator Oligo Space and radiation-shielding specialist Melagen Labs, Spacedock is preparing to fly its berthing and docking connector, also called Spacedock, in the second quarter of 2026. Spacedock is a modular interface designed for satellite servicing and space-station docking.

“On the ground and in space, Spacedock makes mating and the transfer of fluids and data seamless, inexpensive and secure,” Spacedock CEO Negar Feher told SpaceNews in August at the SmallSat Conference in Salt Lake City. “The value proposition is standardization around a hosting interface. We are moving the timeline closer to launch on how late you can swap out payloads.”

Under the previous name Orbital Outpost X, engineers developed and manufactured components, systems and subsystems for commercial space stations. As Spacedock, “our product and mission haven’t changed, we’re just aligning the name with the core of what we’re building,” Feher said. “We’re creating the infrastructure layer that will make space systems interoperable, starting with the simplest and most fundamental building block: a universal connector that can think and adapt.”

Melagen shielding

San Francisco-based Melagen, founded in 2024, provides radiation shielding for spacecraft systems.

“This will be our first space demonstration mission,” Melagen CEO Muhammad Hunain told SpaceNews by email. “We’re testing our proprietary Melagen shielding head-to-head against decades-old industry-standard aluminum, measuring total ionizing dose and how well it protects COTS electronics. The test will be a validation of our materials for advanced use cases as well, including structural, enclosures and infrastructure shielding.”

Spacedock’s modular connector is designed to support rapid integration and swapping of hosted payloads, satellite servicing and refueling as well as robotic operations. The connector provides “multi-fluid, high power and high-speed data transfer,” according to the Spacedock news release. “Each Spacedock functions as a data node, sampling the performance of each interconnection in support of AI models for diagnostics, cyber-security and optimization.”

For Melagen, working with Spacedock “has been a game-changer,” Hunain said in a statement. “They made our in-orbit demo prep effortless — everything was plug-and-play — with white-glove service from start to finish. They supported our software integration, oversaw qualification testing, handled hardware integration and will ensure our data comes back after flight.”