
UK-based spacecraft propulsion company Magdrive has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with spacecraft refuelling specialist Orbit Fab.
The agreement, announced at the 75th International Astronautical Congress (IAC) in Milan, will see the two companies collaborate on developing solutions to refuel satellites. Such advancements will transform space sustainability and open the door to entirely new missions in space, enabling longer, more ambitious missions while reducing the need for costly and environmentally damaging replacement launches.
The collaboration has been supported by a £1 million grant from the UK Space Agency’s National Space Innovation Programme (NSIP).
Based in Harwell, Oxfordshire, Magdrive is developing spacecraft propulsion with unrivalled thrust and efficiency.
US-based Orbit Fab is a global leader in in-space spacecraft refuelling services and has been looking to expand into metal propellants.
At the heart of the MoU is the development of Magdrive’s SuperMagdrive thruster – the world's first large solid metal propulsion system that can be refuelled using metal found in space. The ability to refuel using metal already in space is the first step to unlocking sustainable and economical round trips to deep space.
Magdrive’s propulsion systems provide high thrust and efficiency, with plans to scale up for larger missions, such as spacecraft servicing, solar installations, and interplanetary travel. By using solid metal propellants, Magdrive aims to address key challenges in sustainable space missions.
Mark Stokes, CEO at Magdrive, said: “This MoU with Orbit Fab is an important step towards our vision of powering more sustainable space transport. By combining our expertise in propulsion systems with their innovations in refuelling infrastructure, we’re laying the groundwork for more ambitious, efficient space missions.
“With the development of the SuperMagdrive and the ability to refuel using metal propellants sourced in space, we’re moving closer to making deep-space missions not only possible but sustainable. This is just the beginning, and we’re looking forward to seeing the impact our can make on the space industry in the future.”
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