Magdrive Pulsed Power System for Advanced Satellite Propulsion

Magdrive正在为小型卫星开发一种革命性的空间推进系统。该系统将以电力推进的高效率运行，同时提供目前仍然主导市场的化学推进系统所具有的高推力优势。这允许通过提高燃料效率来实现更便宜的卫星发射，使未来的卫星运营商免受强制离轨立法的影响，并实现新的使命类型，例如与较大卫星的重新对接，星座管理和极低地球轨道中的操作。Magdrive推进器的小尺寸将允许小型卫星用于更多的应用，降低空间应用的成本和进入这一行业的障碍。除了满足现有运营商的需求外，这将使较小的公司、初创企业和大学能够以较小的预算在太空中执行任务，有助于推动英国在太空中的创新。Magdrive已加入欧洲航天局企业孵化中心，并获得了Entrepreneur First的风险投资支持。Magdrive完成了第一个组件原型，达到了一个重要的里程碑。这要归功于韦斯科特企业孵化中心的赠款。Magdrive已经展示了使用一个紧凑的脉冲功率系统来为Magdrive推进器产生等离子体。这种等离子体是在真空中产生的，并包含在由专门设计的磁线圈产生的磁场中。

Magdrive is developing a revolutionary space propulsion system for small satellites. This system will operate with the high efficiency of electric propulsion while providing the high thrust advantage seen with chemical propulsion systems which still currently dominate the market. This allows for cheaper satellite launch through improved fuel efficiency, future-proofing satellite operators against legislation to enforce de-orbiting, and enable new mission types such as rendezvousing with larger satellites, constellation management, and operations in very low Earth orbit.The small size of the Magdrive thruster will allow for small satellites to be used for significantly more applications, reducing the cost of space applications and the barriers to entry to this industry. As well as servicing the needs of established operators, this will allow smaller companies, start-ups and universities to conduct missions in space on smaller budgets, helping to drive UK innovation in space.Magdrive has joined the European Space Agency Business Incubation Centre and has secured VC backing from Entrepreneur First.Magdrive has reached a major milestone with the completion of its first component prototype. This has been possible thanks to a grant from the Westcott Business Incubation Centre. Magdrive has demonstrated the use of a miniaturised and compact pulsed power system to create the plasma for the Magdrive thruster. This plasma has been created in a vacuum and contained with magnetic fields generated by specifically designed magnetic coils.