Successful test of Australia’s first in-space rocket engine

Valiant Space has successfully begun testing Australia’s first in-space chemical thruster. This marks the beginning of an ongoing test campaign that will see the company develop its high-performance propulsion systems for the small satellite market.

The test demonstrated a thrust of 20 Newtons and a specific impulse of approximately 290 seconds in vacuum conditions, exceeding expectations. The thruster will provide efficient, high-thrust, low-cost, and environmentally friendly propulsion options for the booming small satellite market.

“Fast acting in-space propulsion is an important capability,” says Valiant CEO, Andrew Uscinski. “It allows manoeuvres to be conducted quickly, in hours rather than months. This is really important as the more time a satellite spends in transit, the less time it is in it’s intended orbit, meaning satellite operators are missing out on value. We want to fix that.”

In-space chemical propulsion is required for a wide range of manoeuvres, including for orbit insertion, maintenance, disposal, rendezvous and docking, main transfer and correction burns. These are critical to conducting high value commercial and scientific missions around asteroids, the Moon and Mars, while also improving the commercial viability of Low Earth Orbit operations by increasing useful time on-orbit.

“The technology that Valiant is developing has proven crucial to the success of other space-faring nations, and, moreover, will establish a strong precedent for future Australian space missions,” Andrew explained.

High-thrust in-space propulsion has traditionally relied upon carcinogenic propellants like hydrazine. By using non-toxic and readily available propellants, Valiant aims to greatly improve the safety and reduce logistical complexities associated with launching to space. 

Valiant aims to space qualify their propulsion system by the end of the year, and to subsequently provide the means to send satellites to their destinations in Low Earth Orbit and beyond.