UK Space Agency announces US/UK partnership between Pulsar Fusion and the University of Michigan

BLETCHLEY, U.K. - Pulsar Fusion, developers of propulsion systems and services through nuclear fusion in Bletchley, England, have announced a trans-Atlantic partnership concerning electric propulsion research. Electric propulsion and specifically Hall effect thrusters are a key technology enabler for spacecraft.

This UK Space Agency collaboration will develop a relationship with a leading university research center in Hall thrusters in the Plasma dynamics and Electric Propulsion Lab at the University of Michigan (US), along with leading Hall thruster companies Pulsar Fusion and the United States' Starlight Engines and the University of Southampton (UK).

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in the United States has identified a strategic need over the next decade for electric propulsion, in particular in the field of high-power electric propulsion and propellants.

Hall thrusters are finding application in a vast array of different spacecraft missions, including geostationary satellites and interplanetary missions. This includes robotic rendezvous missions such as those developed by Northrop Grumman and Astroscale, in particular for spacecraft de-orbiting, and interplanetary missions such as the Lunar Gateway Space Station and the NASA Psyche mission.

Until now, there has been no collaboration between the UK and USA on Hall thruster research. This new partnership of leading expertise in Hall thrusters, will commence such a collaboration for the first time, allowing the UK to benefit from the leading research and development in the World.

"As a manufacturer of space engines, there are regulatory challenges in being based in the UK, but England has a fantastic talent pool and our scientists deserve to be at the forefront of these emerging technologies. This is another key US partnership for Pulsar, we continue to pursue best-in-class innovation, and this is particularly exciting given the global commercial interest in these engines. Following last month’s announcement of our Nuclear Fusion propulsion work with Princeton Satellite Systems, we remain optimistic that companies like Pulsar can continue to advance our technologies whilst remaining in the UK with access to unparalleled scientific resources, " said Pulsar Fusion CEO, Richard Dinan.