Local space leaders Neumann Space and Inovor Technologies have achieved a major milestone with the successful delivery of the Neumann Drive™ with the Apogee satellite platform, ready for spacecraft integration and launch.
The Neumann Drive™ is a lightweight solar-electric ionic thruster unit, based on the company’s patented technology and is designed to be safer, more efficient and easier to operate than other solutions on the market. The drive has been incorporated into Inovor Technologies’ family of small satellite buses known as Apogee.
This milestone represents the first time an Australian electric propulsion product has qualified for integration on a satellite, signalling progress made by the companies towards increasing the Australian industry’s commercial viability.
Neumann Space’s CEO, Herve Astier said proving the performance of the Neumann Drive™ in space will continue to further the company’s progress in commercialisation.
“The Neumann Drive™ offers a step change in mobility to the global satellite market, and this milestone represents an important step forward in ensuring that this critical technology is able to serve the growing need for better propulsion in space,” said Mr Astier.
“We are excited about the work we are doing with Inovor Technologies and the contribution that we are making to securing flight heritage of a system with the real potential to significantly disrupt the way satellite propulsion is done today.”
Founder and CEO of Inovor Technologies, Dr Matt Tetlow, said the company is pleased to be ready for spacecraft integration and launch on their Apogee satellite platform.
“Both our products are Australian-designed and made, demonstrating the sovereign capability that exists within our nation’s space sector, and the potential for growth of the industry,” said Dr Tetlow.
“Continuing to prove and test our industry’s platforms and capability in space is essential to progress.”
Image credit: Neumann Space website
