The UK Space Agency has allocated a £1m grant to accelerate satellite refuelling solutions.
- This funding supports a collaboration between Magdrive and Orbit Fab.
- The project aims to enhance the sustainability of space missions through innovative technology.
- Key technology involved is the SuperMagdrive thruster, using space-sourced metal for refuelling.
- This initiative is part of the National Space Innovation Programme, enhancing space tech sustainability.
In a significant move to advance sustainable space exploration, the UK Space Agency has dedicated a £1m grant to develop satellite refuelling technology. This initiative is a collaborative effort between the UK-based Magdrive and the American company Orbit Fab, focusing on creating solutions for refuelling satellites in orbit. This financial backing is a part of the National Space Innovation Programme, reflecting the government’s commitment to supporting pioneering space technologies.
The partnership between Magdrive and Orbit Fab is underpinned by a memorandum of understanding (MoU), aligning their efforts to create more sustainable space operations. Magdrive’s role primarily focuses on the development of the SuperMagdrive thruster, a unique propulsion system designed to be refuelled using metals available in space. This innovation is expected to have far-reaching implications for making space travel more efficient and less reliant on Earth-based resources.
Magdrive CEO Mark Stokes highlighted the significance of this collaboration by stating, “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.” This partnership seeks not only to enhance current technologies but also to pave the way for future deep-space missions.
The announcement took place at the 75th International Astronautical Congress in Milan, marking a pivotal moment for the involved companies. The focus on using space-sourced metals for spacecraft refuelling underscores a shift towards reducing dependency on Earth’s resources, thereby potentially lowering mission costs and extending the operational life of satellites.
The UK Space Agency’s investment signifies a strategic push towards integrating sustainable practices in space exploration. The support for Magdrive and Orbit Fab exemplifies a growing recognition of the need to innovate within the sector to accommodate long-term space missions. This funding is poised to enhance the technological capabilities required to venture further into space, addressing both sustainability and efficiency.
The UK Space Agency’s £1m grant is a critical step toward sustainable advancements in satellite technology, aiming to revolutionise the future of space travel.