On February 3, 2026, ExLabs (Exploration Laboratories) announced a strategic partnership with CUS-GNC to integrate the SpacePilot onboard autonomy software into its upcoming Mission to Asteroid Apophis.
The mission, dubbed ApophisExL, is one of the most ambitious commercial deep-space ventures to date. By embedding flight-proven, AI-driven guidance, navigation, and control (GNC) directly into the spacecraft, ExLabs aims to bypass the communication latencies and high operational costs traditionally associated with planetary exploration.
The Tech: SpacePilot Autonomy
Developed by the innovative startup CUS-GNC, SpacePilot is a flagship autonomy platform designed to enable spacecraft to “close the loop” without human intervention.
- Onboard Decision-Making: SpacePilot allows the spacecraft to perceive environmental changes, optimize maneuvers in real-time, and adapt to uncertainties during critical mission phases like rendezvous and proximity operations (RPO).
- Reducing Ground Burden: Operating more than 100 million kilometers from Earth involves significant signal delays. SpacePilot enables the spacecraft to act autonomously, allowing ground teams to focus on high-level mission goals rather than real-time joystick-style control.
- Resilience: The software provides a “low-touch” operational model that increases mission robustness in the dynamic and uncharacterized environment surrounding a near-Earth asteroid.
The Mothership: Modular Power and Infrastructure
ExLabs will execute this mission using its SERV (Science, Exploration and Resource Vehicle), a high-power, modular spacecraft bus designed for persistent operations beyond Earth orbit. The SERV architecture is optimized for rendezvous and proximity operations, featuring nearly 13 kW of peak power generation and a 1.5-ton dry mass configured to fit within standard Falcon 9 fairing dimensions. This multipurpose platform serves as the “mothership,” providing power, communications, and precise guidance for a diverse array of hosted instruments.
Commercial Rideshare: A New Model for Deep Space
In January 2026, ExLabs solidified this model by partnering with Japan’s Chiba Institute of Technology (ChibaTech) and its Planetary Exploration Research Center. Under this agreement, the mission will deliver university-led payloads including “CubeLanders” designed to study surface composition and structure, marking a rare instance where students contribute directly to flight hardware destined for deep space.
Pathfinding for Planetary Defense and Resources
Beyond its scientific objectives, ApophisExL functions as a technical validator for ExLabs’ long-term roadmap in planetary defense and resource acquisition. By studying Apophis’ gravitational interactions with Earth, the mission will help refine asteroid impact risk models. Additionally, the spacecraft will test specialized instrumentation for asteroid prospecting, surveying the body for precious metals like platinum and iridium to prove the feasibility of future in-situ resource utilization.
| ApophisExL Mission Overview | Details |
| Launch Window | April 2028 |
| Asteroid Encounter | April 13, 2029 |
| Spacecraft Platform | SERV (Modular & Scalable) |
| Partner Institution | Chiba Institute of Technology (Japan) |
| Key Payloads | CubeLanders, Multiband Cameras, Radar (DROID) |
| Strategic Goals | Planetary Defense & Resource Prospecting |