TO UNLOCK Ultra low orbit WE HAD TO CREATE SOMETHING COMPLETELY unique - SATELLITES THAT BREATHE AIR
Atmosphere-Breathing Propulsion System
NewOrbit has developed a propulsion system that uses ambient atmospheric particles as propellant to establish long lifetime in a high-drag environment of lower orbits. Propulsion system requires only atmospheric particles and solar power.
WORLD’S FIRST AND ONLY AIR-BREATHING PROPULSION SYSTEM WITH DEMONSTRATED FULL DRAG COMPENSATION IN A LAB-REPRODUCED ULEO ENVIRONMENT
Calculated lifetime for 180 km
15x longer operation at ULEO than other best-in-class technologies
Unlike traditional stored propellant technologies, NewOrbit’s propulsion system collects atmospheric particles in-situ. This results in a 15x increase in total impulse throughout spacecraft lifetime than other alternative propulsion systems.
Atmospheric collector
Our patent-pending propellant harvesting system collects atmospheric particles and supplies them to the acceleration stage to create thrust.
Ion Engine
Accelerates ionized atmospheric particles up to 100 km/s, creating sufficient thrust to counteract high drag of ultra low orbits.
Cathode
The cathode is an integral component of an election propulsion system, generating electrons to ignite and neutralise the ion engine. Significant technological developments have allowed NewOrbit to develop one of the first cathodes able to operate on atmospheric propellants.