Joint Venture Formed to Develop Valkyrie Thruster
Redwire and Phase Four Join Forces for the New Propulsion System
A joint venture has been formed to develop and deliver a family of propulsion systems spanning a range of input power and propellants. Dubbed the "Valkyrie System", Phase Four and Redwire will provide new solutions and more choice to a very under-supplied market.
"This reliable, mass producible design will offer a scalable in-space propulsion solution within DOD’s small satellite supply chain and will serve many other national security space applications.”
Adam Bisknerk Redwire.
The Valkyrie system will have multiple desired features, including being re-programmable post launch; provide multiple set-points such that satellite operators can optimize based on their mission requirements; and share extensive telemetry, allowing operators to extend satellite life expectancy and manage fuel consumption.
The Valkyrie Thruster will be based on the NASA-designed and tested H71M Hall Effect Thruster. The highly flexible and streamlined design will yield a shorter production schedule enabling reliable, high-volume production.
The addition of a Hall Effect Thrusters product line is the natural next step in expanding Phase Four's in-space propulsion offerings, which already includes the proprietary radio-frequency Maxwell product line; air-breathing, very low-earth orbit propulsion systems; and propellant-agnostic multi-mode systems. In addition to an expanding hardware product line, Phase Four also offers its in-space propulsion services, including propulsion planning and consultation work; propellant acquisition and logistics services; leak and pressure testing; and fill operations.
Intended to serve both the government and commercial markets, the agreement reflects both companies' view that the market for such thrusters will continue to be robust for the foreseeable future.
"This collaboration aligns with our mission to innovate and deliver high-performance propulsion solutions for government and commercial customers, with a particular focus on Space Development Agency missions," said Steve Kiser, CEO of Phase Four.
"This reliable, mass producible design will offer a scalable in-space propulsion solution within DOD’s small satellite supply chain and will serve many other national security space applications,” said Adam Bisknerk president of Space Systems at Redwire.
Redwire and Phase Four will leverage their expertise to manufacture the power processing unit hardware, thruster, propellant management software, and software control, which both companies will integrate into flight panels. The Valkyrie thrusters are anticipated to go into full rate production in 2025.