Magdrive launches metal-to-fuel thruster into orbit

British satellite propulsion start-up, Magdrive, launches its Rogue thruster into space for its first in-orbit demonstration.

The Going Rogue mission, delivered wtih D-Orbit, will test the electric plasma propulsion system that uses solid metal converted into fuel to generate intense bursts of thrust.

Magdrive says that with a magnitude improvement in thrust at low mass, it is fast, efficient and compact – ideal for tasks such as satellite repositioning, deep-space manoeuvres and real-time collision avoidance.

Dr Paul Bate, UK Space Agency CEO, says, 'The flight of Magdrive’s Rogue thruster will be a critical demonstration of an innovative new propulsion capability. This is a significant opportunity, as there are thousands of satellites set to be launched that will need more flexible and efficient propulsion systems to avoid collisions or perform more complex missions.'

Going Rogue is being funded primarily by the European Space Agency Marketplace commercialisation programme, and supported by the UK Space Agency through multiple funding streams.