ExLabs, a pioneering commercial deep-space mission operator, is at the forefront of developing the Science, Exploration, and Resource Vehicle (SERV), a modular spacecraft designed to operate in geostationary orbit and beyond. This innovative platform aims to provide scalable, affordable solutions for deep-space missions, resource acquisition, and planetary defense initiatives. ([exlabs.space](

ExLabs and the SERV Platform

Founded in 2023, ExLabs is committed to advancing deep-space infrastructure by creating spacecraft capable of sustained missions beyond Earth orbit. The SERV platform is central to this mission, offering a versatile and reconfigurable design that supports a wide range of applications, from asteroid prospecting to planetary defense. ([exlabs.space](

Mission as a Service (MaaS)

ExLabs introduces the Mission as a Service (MaaS) model, enabling various stakeholders—including government agencies, academic institutions, and commercial entities—to participate in deep-space missions without the need to develop their own spacecraft. This approach democratizes access to space by offering hosted payload rideshare missions, where multiple payloads share a single mission, thereby reducing costs and accelerating timelines. ([exlabs.space](

Strategic Partnerships and Technological Advancements

In June 2023, ExLabs was awarded a $1.7 million contract by SpaceWERX, the innovation arm of the U.S. Space Force, to develop an autonomous capture and acquisition system. This system is designed to address capability gaps in the Department of the Air Force, particularly in orbital debris cleanup and deep-space missions for resource retrieval. ([](

Further enhancing its technological capabilities, ExLabs partnered with CUS-GNC in February 2026 to integrate the SpacePilot onboard autonomy software into its upcoming mission to asteroid Apophis. SpacePilot is a flight-proven autonomy platform that enables spacecraft to perceive environmental changes, make onboard decisions, and execute maneuvers without continuous ground oversight. This collaboration aims to reduce operational risk and enable responsive, low-touch spacecraft behavior in deep-space environments. ([globenewswire.com](

Future Missions and Objectives

ExLabs' mission roadmap includes several upcoming deep-space missions:

  • Apophis EX (2028): The first commercial deep-space rideshare mission, targeting asteroid Apophis during its Earth flyby. ([exlabs.space](
  • Mission 2 (2029): A follow-on deep-space mission with a target to be announced. ([exlabs.space](
  • Mission 3 (2030): Another deep-space mission with a target to be announced. ([exlabs.space](
  • Sustained Operations (2030+): Recurring deep-space rideshare missions at a 6-8 month cadence. ([exlabs.space](

These missions aim to validate ExLabs' spacecraft capabilities for future deep-space exploration and establish a continuous presence in space. ([exlabs.space](

Conclusion

ExLabs is at the forefront of developing the industry's largest satellite vehicle for multipurpose utility, exemplified by its SERV platform. Through strategic partnerships, innovative mission models, and a clear roadmap for future missions, ExLabs is poised to play a pivotal role in advancing deep-space exploration and infrastructure.

Sources

  • ExLabs — About Us —
  • ExLabs — Mission as a Service —
  • ExLabs Awarded Space Force Orbital Prime Contract for Robotic Capture System —
  • ExLabs Selects CUS-GNC SpacePilot Autonomy for Mission to Asteroid Apophis —
  • ExLabs — Missions —