Customer
Meridian Space Command
Solution
Cinematic Animation & Web Interactive
Timeline
2 Weeks
Result
Featured on Reuters & Global Space Media
| The customer
The Client
Led by Dr. Sam Richards, Meridian Space Command is a UK-based commercial mission operator and consultancy. In partnership with Alpha Impulsion, they are developing the Economic Transfer Vehicle (ETV) – a spacecraft utilizing revolutionary “autophage” (self-eating) propulsion. This technology offers a low-cost solution for transporting small payloads to high-value destinations, such as the lunar surface.
| The mission
The Mission
The objective was to create a clear, technical visualisation of the ETV concept for industry events and funding applications. Dr Richards required a narrative that simplified a complex mechanical process into an understandable mission profile. Additionally, the project needed a web-interactive tool to highlight that the ETV’s components are sourced entirely from UK companies – a critical requirement for securing UK government support.
Services
Modelling · Texturing · Animation · Asset Optimisation · Web Development
| The Brief
The Challenge
01 / OUR APPROACH
With a 45-second limit and a small budget, we opted for a straight forward yet photorealistic “Engineering Simulation” aesthetic. By using a “Mission Control” UI-focused scene, we were able to visualise the “self-eating” phase as a timelapse. This not only saved on heavy simulation and rendering but also allowed us to communicate mission-elapsed time, speed, and distance directly to the viewer.
The “autophage” engine is a brand-new concept that the public and investors often struggle to visualise. The challenge was to demonstrate the ETV’s entire mission cycle, from orbital deployment to its “trans-lunar injection” and eventual payload delivery, all within a very tight 45 second animation due to a startup-level budget.
Meridian Space Command needed a partner who could maximise value without diluting the professional quality required for a Reuters feature. We leapt at the chance to support such a unique UK innovation, providing a tailored package that utilised effective creative shortcuts to keep the focus on the technology’s Unique Selling Point (USP).
| Our Approach
The Solution
We optimised a highly detailed CAD model for both the animation and the web-interactive experience, putting the effort into photorealistic textures.
Animation
Interactive
We optimised a highly detailed CAD model for both the animation and the web-interactive experience, putting the effort into photorealistic textures. By framing shots to focus strictly on the hero product and utilising Earth HDRIs for lighting, we directed every pound of the budget toward the product itself.
The interactive experience allows users to deconstruct the ETV, specifically tagging the UK-sourced components to meet the project’s strategic funding goals. The result is a high-impact, UI-driven narrative that proves world-class visuals are accessible to startups.
| Mission Footage
The Assets
TLI 720
UI 720
Run the Mission
“Dark Star Labs delivered a tailored package that worked within our constraints without diluting quality. The end result significantly elevated how we present ourselves, elevating our professionalism from day one.”
Dr Sam RichardsDirector, Meridian Space Command
| Ready to Launch
DOES YOUR STARTUP HAVE THE VISUAL FIREPOWER TO WIN THE ROOM?
Effective communication shouldn’t be gated by a startup budget. We specialise in creative, high-impact ways to stretch your resources, turning technical concepts into the digital assets you need to secure funding and scale your mission.
