Pictured left to right: Herve Astier (Neumann CEO), Enrico Palermo (head of the Australian Space Agency), and Clive Oates (head of SSTL, Australia)Guildford-based
Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL), a pioneer within the ‘SmallSat’ industry, and
Neumann Space, a ‘technology leader’ within the in-space electric propulsion sector, have agreed to work together to test an Australian designed and manufactured in-space propulsion system as part of the CarbSAR In Orbit Demonstration (IOD) Mission.
SSTL and Neumann Space will start work this year to integrate the next-generation Neumann Drive as an IOD payload on board the SSTL CarbSAR satellite scheduled for launch in the second half of 2024. The companies will collaborate over the course of the mission to test, demonstrate, and verify the performance of the Neumann Drive; its ‘unique propulsion technology’ uses solid metallic propellant.
Neumann Space says the opportunity to be a part of the CarbSAR Demo Mission will enable the company to further grow its space heritage and is an active demonstration of SSTL’s commitment to collaborate with the Australian Space industry to stimulate local growth and competitiveness.
Herve Astier, Neumann Space’s CEO, said: “Our participation in the CarbSar Demo Mission and our first piece of work with SSTL is significant for Neumann Space and for the commercialisation of our propulsion technology. This is an important addition to our programme of in-orbit demonstrations, providing us with the opportunity to validate the performance of our capability on SSTL’s latest generation 150-plus kg satellite platform, and to work more closely with a leader in the UK’s space industry for both commercial and defence applications.”
Welcoming this partnership, Enrico Palermo, head of the Australian Space Agency, said: “The
Australian Space Agency established the ‘UK-Australia Space Bridge’ with our counterparts to encourage exactly this type of collaboration between our space companies.
“This agreement is further evidence of the global space sector’s interest in what Australia’s innovators have to offer, and the mutual benefit that can be gained from working together with our partners. I look forward to seeing the continuing development of this innovative Australian propulsion technology and how Neumann Space can use this space heritage to continue to grow and create economic and career opportunities here at home.”