Magdrive to Test New Propulsion System with D-Orbit Collaboration

Magdrive to Test New Propulsion System with D-Orbit Collaboration
by Clarence Oxford
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Aug 06, 2024

Magdrive, a startup specializing in advanced electrical propulsion systems, has announced a partnership with D-Orbit, a leader in space logistics, to test the Magdrive Rogue propulsion thruster. The in-orbit demonstration mission is scheduled for June 2025 and was unveiled at the Small Satellite Conference in Logan, Utah.

"We are very excited to show the industry the potential of our Magdrive system," said Mark Stokes, CEO of Magdrive. "This mission is the first step to unlocking entirely new capabilities in high cadence avoidance manoeuvres, sustained RPO, and anti-SDA activity for defense in space. We are also extremely grateful to have the support of ESA via their ScaleUp programme for making this mission possible."

The Magdrive Rogue is a cutting-edge electrical propulsion system that delivers thrust up to 30 mN while maintaining high specific impulse similar to existing systems. Magdrive will deploy two Rogue units on D-Orbit's ION platform to demonstrate scalability across various satellite mass classes.

Combining high thrust with the efficiency of electric propulsion, the Magdrive Rogue introduces a significant advancement by utilizing solid metal propellant instead of gas. The system stores energy internally to ionize the metal into hot plasma, achieving higher thrust performance.

The Rogue thruster will undergo testing aboard D-Orbit's ION Satellite Carrier, which has a proven record of 13 successful orbital missions and over 40 hosted payloads. Magdrive selected ION for its reliability and established track record in orbital transportation.

"We are thrilled to collaborate with Magdrive on this mission, leveraging our proven ION platform to demonstrate the potential of the Magdrive Rogue thruster," said Matteo Lorenzoni, VP of Commercial Strategy at D-Orbit.

"We are also excited to support the ESA ScaleUp program through ION; the initiative truly exemplifies ESA's dedication to fostering advancements and innovations in the space industry and perfectly fits within ION's scope and capabilities."

ESA's ScaleUp programme supports this mission, facilitating rapid commercialization of SME products in the space sector.

"I am pleased to see this deal happen between Magdrive and D-Orbit through ESA's ScaleUp programme," said Philip Thomas, Head of ScaleUp Programme Division. "I trust this collaboration will prove fruitful and help both companies achieve even bigger milestones."