Magdrive, a UK-based startup, has secured $10.5 million in funding to further develop its groundbreaking electric propulsion system for satellites. This innovative technology promises to deliver a higher thrust in a smaller form factor than existing solutions, revolutionizing satellite operations and orbital mobility.

The electric propulsion (EP) system, developed by Magdrive, uses solid metal propellant to generate high-energy plasma, offering the same high specific impulse as chemical systems but with a magnitude improvement in thrust and a magnitude reduction in mass. This means spacecraft operators can utilize electric propulsion for entirely new classes of missions, without relying on heavier and more expensive chemical thrusters.

According to Mark Stokes, cofounder and CEO of Magdrive, this technology will enable spacecraft to perform sustained rendezvous and proximity operations, avoidance maneuvers, and "stochastic movement" – making defense and intelligence satellites untraceable. Stokes predicts that the future of the space industry will be based around being able to rendezvous satellites, and Magdrive's technology is poised to play a key role in this development.

Orbital mobility, also referred to as "dynamic space operations" by Pentagon leaders, has become a significant area of interest for the Department of Defense. Magdrive was one of six startups selected for the Space Force's Hyperspace Challenge accelerator last year, underscoring the technology's potential impact on the industry.

One of the biggest advantages of Magdrive's technology is its scalability. The startup's products, Rogue and Warlock, can be deployed in a grid to combine thrust or built at larger form factors. The company is currently developing a "Super Magdrive" that's the size of a dishwasher, demonstrating the versatility of its technology.

Since its founding in 2019, Magdrive has grown to a team of at least 20 and is preparing to demonstrate its first two full-scale Rogue thrusters on orbit this June. The company has raised a total of $1.8 million in seed funding and around $10 million in non-dilutive grants to date. The latest funding round, led by Swiss fund redalpine, will support the manufacturing of commercial products, continued R&D, hiring, and the establishment of a U.S. subsidiary in Los Angeles.

Magdrive's advanced propulsion system is designed to be reusable, utilizing metals like aluminum and copper that can be found in space. This approach could become a key differentiator for the company in the long term, as it eliminates the need to transport fuel from Earth for every mission.

With its sights set on the future, Magdrive aims to fire a Warlock system in 2026 and a Super Magdrive in 2027. According to Stokes, the company's technology will enable spacecraft to move as much as possible during their operational life, unlocking new possibilities for satellite operations and orbital mobility.

The successful funding round and Magdrive's innovative technology position the company for significant growth and impact in the space industry. As the space sector continues to evolve, Magdrive is poised to play a leading role in shaping the future of orbital mobility and satellite operations.