South Australian-based electric propulsion company Neumann Space has successfully commissioned its electric propulsion technology, the Neumann Drive® ND-50, completing the system’s demonstration phase in space and clearing the way for commercial deployment.
The electric propulsion system was commissioned as part of the CarbSAR In Orbit Demonstration Mission, operated by Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL), following its launch aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base on 11 January.
The milestone confirms the ND-50 system’s in-orbit performance, reliability and operational readiness, marking a critical milestone for both companies in strengthening sovereign and allied space mobility capabilities.
Neumann Space CEO Hervé Astier said the result also marked a key transition for the company.
“The successful commissioning of the ND-50 on CarbSAR validates our solid-state technology in an operational environment and marks the completion of our demonstration phase,” he said.
“We are now focused on scaling production to support allied defence and commercial customers who require reliable, responsive propulsion solutions.
“This milestone reflects the growing importance of sovereign space capabilities across the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia, and we are proud to contribute to that ecosystem.”
The CarbSAR mission is part of SSTL’s broader effort to advance next-generation synthetic aperture radar (SAR) capabilities, which support intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance applications.
It is backed by a consortium including Airbus Defence and Space, Oxford Space Systems and several UK government defence and innovation agencies.
Head of Australia for SSTL Clive Oates said the mission demonstrated both technical progress and international collaboration.
“The successful operation of the Neumann Drive on CarbSAR demonstrates the value of bringing innovative technologies into orbit and underscores the strength of the growing cooperation between the UK and Australia in space,” he said.
“For SSTL, this mission also reflects our commitment to engaging with Australia’s industrial base and supporting the capability being developed across its space sector.”
Neumann Space said the ND-50 flight is the final in a series of validation missions, with the company now moving into full commercial production.
The milestone occurred in parallel with the successful launch of Neumann Space’s lower cost ND-25 unit aboard SpaceX’s Transporter-16 mission, with further systems planned for deployment later this year.
