Neumann Space to test Australian-made propulsion system 

In-space electric propulsion developer Neumann Space and SmallSat pioneer Surrey Satellite Technology have consented to cooperate to test an Australian-designed and manufactured in-space propulsion system as a part of the CarbSAR In Orbit Demonstration Mission. 

SSTL and Adelaide’s Neumann Space will commence work this year to coordinate the next-generation Neumann Drive as an In-orbit Demonstration (IOD) payload on board the SSTL CarbSAR satellite booked for launch in the second half of 2024. 

The companies will team up throughout the span of the mission to test, demonstrate, and check the performance of the Neumann Drive, whose exceptional propulsion technology utilises strong metallic fuel. 

The potential chance to be part of the CarbSAR Demo Mission will give Neumann Space the capacity to additionally develop its space legacy and is an active demonstration of SSTL’s obligation to team up with the Australian Space industry to stimulate local development and competitiveness. 

Neumann Space’s CEO Herve Astier 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 innovative propulsion technology.” 

The CarbSAR Demo Mission is an organisation among SSTL and Oxford Space Systems to construct and launch an OSS Wrapped Rib antenna mounted to an SSTL CarbSAR satellite. 

“This is an important addition to our programme of in-orbit demonstrations, providing us with the opportunity to validate the performance of our sovereign capability on SSTL’s latest generation 150+kg satellite platform and to work more closely with a leader in the UK’s space industry for both commercial and defence applications,” said Astier. 

This mission is intended to demonstrate a notable Synthetic Aperture Radar idea with suggestions for near to medium-term UK defence ISR strategies. 

The head of the Australian Space Agency Enrico Palermo invited the partnership, saying it was the kind of cooperation imagined by the UK-Australia Space Bridge.