British start-up lands state backing to develop interplanetary plasma thrusters

The Magdrive thruster could change how satellites are propelled in space

Credit: Magdrive

The Space Agency funding was part of a wider round worth around £300,000, which backed four further projects.

Salisbury-based Lena Space is developing a rocket engine for launch vehicles received £74,080. The University of Leeds was granted £74,969 to continue its research into technology to identify hard to see gases in the atmosphere.

Elsewhere Archer Technicoat, an Oxfordshire-based company, aims to develop new tech around spacecraft propulsion to make them more efficient. It was granted £72,778.

Finally, Spottitt, which builds automated monitoring services for waste and mineral sites using satellite imagery received £50,296.

Charles McCausland, head of major projects and technology development at the Space Agency, said the five projects promised to “pave the way” for future space innovation.

“As the UK extends its ambitions for the space sector, early support of this kind could prove decisive in helping us get ahead in an increasingly competitive global environment,” he said.

Amanda Solloway, the  Science Minister, said the investment would help fast-track the emerging technologies.

“From observing climate change from space to protecting our satellites from hazardous space debris, these technologies could expand our reach in space and improve life here on Earth,” she said.​