SpaceLab Secures Seed Funding from Bluepoint for Low-Toxicity Satellite Thruster

Accelerating Development of the Thruster for the Sixth Nuri Launch Vehicle

Space propulsion solutions provider SpaceLab announced on September 1 that it has secured seed investment from deep-tech accelerator Bluepoint Partners.

Established in 2023, SpaceLab specializes in space propulsion, developing satellite propulsion systems using low-toxicity propellants and thrust technology based on electric control.

Increasing Demand for Low-Toxicity Propulsion Technology Transition

With the recent surge in low Earth orbit satellites, there is also a growing need for collision avoidance maneuvers. The United States Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has mandated the disposal of new low Earth orbit satellites within five years after the end of their mission for any commercial launch authorized after September 2024. In Europe, discussions are underway regarding regulations to mitigate space debris. As hydrazine, the standard propellant in the industry, faces regulatory pressure due to toxicity concerns, demand for transitioning to low-toxicity propulsion technology is increasing.

SpaceLab is building a lineup of propulsion systems tailored to specific orbital missions. By combining the high thrust of chemical propulsion systems with the operational flexibility of electric control technology, their systems can perform a variety of missions, including orbital maneuvers, rendezvous and docking, and in-orbit refueling. The company has established in-house research and development capabilities for everything from propellant synthesis to combustion and vacuum environment thrust testing.

Verification through Nuri Launch Vehicle’s 6th Rideshare Payload

This investment will primarily be allocated to developing an electrically controlled thruster for the rideshare payload satellite on the sixth launch of the Nuri launch vehicle, as well as for space environment verification. Through performance validation in an actual orbital environment, SpaceLab aims to acquire data on thruster ignition/operation and close-proximity maneuvers, and use these results as key references for commercialization with satellite manufacturers and operators at home and abroad.

Kang Donghoon, reviewer at Bluepoint Partners, commented, “A propulsion method that simultaneously satisfies high thrust, precise control, and low toxicity has been a missing area. SpaceLab’s propulsion technology has great potential to expand into both orbital maneuvers and in-orbit services.”

Kim Taekyu, CEO of SpaceLab, said, “We plan to focus our capabilities on developing the electrically controlled thruster for the sixth Nuri launch and verifying it in a space environment. By proving our technology and performance in actual orbit, we intend to secure space heritage and grow as a provider of space propulsion solutions supporting satellite orbital maneuvers, lifespan extension, and future in-orbit services.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.