Technology

This New Thruster Uses Air as Satellite Propellant

By Photo of Kendall Russell
Artist's rendition of ESA's air breathing satellite thruster. Photo: ESA.
Artist's rendition of ESA's air breathing satellite thruster. Photo: ESA.

The European Space Agency (ESA) has successfully tested a new kind of satellite propulsion system that uses molecules in the atmosphere to generate thrust. This is the first time Air-Breathing Electric Propulsion (ABEP) has been demonstrated in a lab. According to ESA, the concept could solve the issue of atmospheric drag on spacecraft in low-altitude orbits.

Read more at Motherboard >>

More on This Topic

Government/Military

All.Space Wins DIU Award Focused on Increasing Production Rate

Technology

Lite Coms Adds SES MEO Compatibility, Comtech WGS-Certified Modem to Lite Sat 1.3A Terminal

Technology

Kepler Enters Optical Tech Partnership, Hosted Payload Agreement with NorthStar

Technology

Redwire to Manufacture Edge Aerospace Data Processing Units in US

Technology

Kepler Launches Service on its New Optical Data Relay Constellation

Kepler Communications is now offering service from the next-generation optical data relay network constellation to global commercial and government customers, the operator announced Monday. With service now active following SpaceX’s […]
Technology

KSAT Rolls Out Demonstration Campaign for Hyper Hybrid RF/Optional Network

Technology

Katalyst Link Mission is Unable to Rescue NASA Swift Observatory

Technology

Kratos Reports Growing Tri-Band Antenna Demand and Debuts New Model 

CesiumAstro CEO Shey Sabripour. Photo: CesiumAstro
Technology

CesiumAstro Acquires Semiconductor Company Jariet Technologies

Trending Now

  1. 10 Smallsat Startups to Watch in 2026
    10 Hottest

    10 Smallsat Startups to Watch in 2026

  2. SDA Director Says Constellation’s Tranche 1 Checkouts Progressing Faster After a Slow Start
    Government/Military

    SDA Director Says Constellation’s Tranche 1 Checkouts Progressing Faster After a Slow Start

  3. White House Targets Support for 1,000 Launches Per Year by 2030
    Government/Military

    White House Targets Support for 1,000 Launches Per Year by 2030

  4. TraCSS Traffic Coordination System Remains in Pilot Mode Due to Budget ‘Uncertainty’
    Government/Military

    TraCSS Traffic Coordination System Remains in Pilot Mode Due to Budget ‘Uncertainty’

  5. Astrum Space Strikes SPAC Deal for D2D Service at $1B Valuation
    Connectivity

    Astrum Space Strikes SPAC Deal for D2D Service at $1B Valuation

  6. Rocket Lab’s Bold Move to Acquire Iridium: Analysts Break Down the Strategy
    Connectivity

    Rocket Lab’s Bold Move to Acquire Iridium: Analysts Break Down the Strategy

  7. Impulse Space Scales Rideshare Program to GEO With Increased Demand
    Launch

    Impulse Space Scales Rideshare Program to GEO With Increased Demand

  8. Redwire to Manufacture Edge Aerospace Data Processing Units in US
    Technology

    Redwire to Manufacture Edge Aerospace Data Processing Units in US

  9. NOAA Contracts Muon Space, Weather Stream, and Spire for TMATE Project
    Government/Military

    NOAA Contracts Muon Space, Weather Stream, and Spire for TMATE Project