Redalpine and Founders Fund Invest in Magdrive's Electric Thrusters

Orbital Mobility and the Rise of Magdrive

Last year witnessed a significant surge in interest surrounding orbital mobility within the space sector. Venture capital firms invested substantial funds into startups focused on developing technologies for more agile satellite operations.

Consequently, a recent investment was made in Magdrive, a U.K.-based company. They assert that their electric propulsion system for satellites will provide superior thrust within a more compact design compared to existing market options.

Propulsion System Trade-offs

When selecting or designing propulsion systems, spacecraft engineers must balance several factors. Chemical systems offer high thrust but have limited specific impulse, which relates to efficiency.

Conversely, electric propulsion (EP) is highly efficient but produces lower thrust. Magdrive has engineered an EP system utilizing solid metal propellant to create high-energy plasma.

This system achieves a specific impulse comparable to chemical systems, but with a substantial increase in thrust and a significant reduction in mass, according to Mark Stokes, co-founder and CEO of Magdrive.

Expanding Mission Capabilities

This advancement enables spacecraft operators to undertake entirely new mission types. They can avoid reliance on heavier and more costly chemical thrusters.

Stokes believes this will position the company to dominate both the electric and chemical propulsion markets. He envisions capturing the electric propulsion market first, then expanding into chemical propulsion.

The Importance of Satellite Rendezvous

“The future of the space industry will increasingly depend on the ability to maneuver satellites,” Stokes stated in a recent TechCrunch interview.

Currently, satellites are typically launched with only the fuel necessary to maintain their orbit throughout the mission’s duration. However, more efficient propulsion could unlock new capabilities.

These include sustained rendezvous and proximity operations for imaging or satellite servicing, collision avoidance maneuvers, and unpredictable orbits – known as “stochastic movement” – to enhance the security of defense and intelligence satellites.

Department of Defense Interest

Orbital mobility, also termed “dynamic space operations” by Pentagon officials, has garnered considerable attention from the Department of Defense.

Magdrive was one of six startups chosen for the Space Force’s Hyperspace Challenge accelerator program last year.

Scalability and Future Development

A key benefit of Magdrive’s technology is its scalability, according to Stokes. The company’s initial products, Rogue and Warlock, can be arranged in a grid to combine thrust.

Alternatively, they can be constructed in larger sizes; the company is currently developing a “Super Magdrive” approximately the size of a dishwasher.

Since its founding in 2019 by Stokes and Thomas Clayson, Magdrive has grown to a team of over 20. They are preparing to demonstrate their first full-scale Rogue thrusters in orbit this June.

The company secured a £1.4 million seed round led by Founders Fund in 2020 and approximately $10 million in non-dilutive grants. A new $10.5 million funding round has now been closed to support manufacturing, R&D, hiring, and the establishment of a U.S. subsidiary in Los Angeles.

Reusable Systems and In-Space Resource Utilization

Magdrive views advanced propulsion as essential infrastructure for the continued expansion of the space industry.

Rogue and Warlock are designed for reusability, utilizing metals like aluminum and copper that can be sourced in space. This could be a significant advantage in the long term.

“We can utilize materials already present in space to power the Magdrive, unlike other systems – both chemical and electrical – which require fuel to be transported from Earth every time,” Stokes explained.

“It’s akin to constructing a new train for each journey, rather than building a railway system.”

Funding and Future Milestones

This latest funding round was spearheaded by Swiss fund Redalpine, with participation from Balerion, Founders Fund, Alumni Ventures, Outsized Ventures, 7percent Ventures, and Entrepreneur First.

Following the initial orbital demonstration this summer, Magdrive plans to launch a Warlock system in 2026 and a Super Magdrive in 2027.

“The critical factor is the ability to move as much as possible, not necessarily as quickly or for as long,” Stokes emphasized. “Within a five-year operational lifespan, how much maneuvering can be achieved?”

“Our technology significantly enhances the amount of maneuvering possible within that timeframe.”