Valiant Space Propulsion System Launches To Space
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Brisbane, 5th of March 2024 - Valiant Space announced today the launch of its first propulsion system to space, after successfully delivering the hardware to its customer Space Machines Company (SMC). The system, which utilises Valiant’s VS-1 thruster, flew to space on a SpaceX Falcon 9 and will be performing numerous orbit changing manoeuvres for SMC’s mission. It is the first Australian bi-propellant propulsion system to fly to space, on board the largest Australian spacecraft ever to launch.
Valiant was selected by SMC in July 2022 to provide its propulsion system to manoeuvre the Optimus spacecraft. “This has been an incredible opportunity to demonstrate an Australian first capability on such a large scale,” said CEO and co-founder of Valiant, Andrew Uscinski. “We are excited to have delivered this system to the Space Machines team, and look forward to together demonstrating Valiant’s propulsion technologies in orbit.”
Valiant’s VS-1 Thruster undergoing long-duration testing
The supply contract culminated in the completion of a rigorous qualification and acceptance testing campaign towards the end of 2023. As part of this testing, Valiant achieved numerous milestones with its VS-1 thruster, successfully firing multiple 45 seconds burns. “Being able to fire our thrusters for long continuous burns reduces large orbital manoeuvres to just one operation,” said Mr Uscinski. “Ultimately, this saves our customers time and money by getting their satellite assets into the right orbit quickly.”
Included on the launch are multiple of Valiant’s Coaxial Solenoid Valves (CSVs), which the company is now exporting internationally. “We’ve now executed and shipped multiple supply orders for our valves to customers across the globe, and have many more under production,” Valiant’s CTO, Michael Douw, stated. “There’s a real demand for dependable space propulsion products, both at a component level and a system level. Valiant is bringing these solutions to the market.”
The delivery to SMC comes off the back of a successful seed round raised by the company in June of 2023. The round has enabled Valiant to grow its team and bring to market its range of space propulsion products, including valves, thrusters, and full propulsion systems. Many of these products and components are included on the SMC mission and will help to build Valiant’s flight heritage.
Valiant’s VS-1 Thruster integrated onto the Space Machines Company spacecraft
“This mission will see us put our propulsion system, and all of its subcomponents, through their paces. The mission will demonstrate our VS-1 thruster as well as the control and feed system components that have been manufactured right here in our Brisbane facility. Along with the SMC team and their partners, this will be a truly impressive all-Australian mission.” said Mr Uscinski.
Space Machines Company CEO, Rajat Kulshrestha, said "We're very pleased to be utilising Valiant Space’s propulsion system for our inaugural mission of Optimus, Australia’s largest spacecraft to date. This partnership is a positive step for both of us, and for the Australian space industry."
The development of the launched propulsion system has been supported by the Australian Space Agency’s Moon to Mars Supply Chain Capability Grant program.
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ABOUT VALIANT SPACE
Located in Brisbane, Australia, Valiant Space is a space propulsion company whose purpose is to build a smarter space for a better Earth. The company produces a wide range of products that enable in-space manoeuvrability, including valves, thrusters, and full propulsion systems for customers both domestically and internationally. With its wide range of propulsion technologies, Valiant is focused on propelling critical space-based infrastructure by allowing satellites to get on orbit sooner, extend their lifetime, and improve sustainability through de-orbiting and collision avoidance.
ABOUT SPACE MACHINES COMPANY
Space Machines Company (SMC) is an Australian startup developing in-space logistics and transportation capabilities to cost-effectively insert small satellites into desired low earth orbits (LEO), geostationary earth orbits (GEO) and lunar orbits. SMC spacecrafts are also designed to maintain, refuel, repair and decommission satellites and other spacecraft.