Smart Propulsion Systems Focus of Three-Way Partnership
Smart Propulsion Systems Focus of Three-Way Partnership
Dawn Aerospace, URAX, SPHERICAL Join Forces to Promote Sustainability in Space
The number of active satellites in low Earth orbit has doubled in the last two years. With this many satellites in space, the risk of collisions needs to be addressed.
“We believe in sustainable space access for all, and responsive propulsion systems are key to preventing new space debris."
Jeroen Wink, Dawn Aerospace
To that end, Dawn Aerospace has partnered with SPHERICAL and UARX Space to de-risk technologies for smart-propulsion systems, used for de-orbiting satellites at the end of their lifetime.
The partnership will see each company develop technology in their areas of expertise.
Dawn is aiming to mitigate fuel sloshing through the development of super-critical storage in its propulsion systems. This is a unique feature of the nitrous oxide-based propellant choice Dawn utilizes. SPHERICAL will design a power management system that will work in the event of satellite failure. UARX will work on a control algorithm that can calculate a clear path to de-orbit the satellite.
“We believe in sustainable space access for all, and responsive propulsion systems are key to preventing new space debris," said Jeroen Wink, CRO of Dawn Aerospace. "Partnering with UARX and SPHERICAL on this early-stage R&D will speed up the development of this critical technology.”
"As we establish a space ecosystem in LEO and beyond, mitigating further debris generation will be critical,” said UARX Co-founder and CEO Yanina Hallak.
The collaboration was announced at the Space Tech Expo in Bremen, in the presence of the regional Minister of Economic Affairs and Innovation of Zuid-Holland, Meindert Stolk.
The Province of South Holland is founder and shareholder of the regional economic development agency Innovation Quarter, which has invested in both Dawn and SPHERICAL through their IQCapital and UNIIQ funds. "I am very proud that these two rising stars from our space ecosystem have found each other. By combining their strengths, Dawn and SPHERICAL are not just building a successful partnership but are also contributing to the growth and prosperity of our Aerospace Delta region,” Mr. Stolk said.