This powerful new rocket engine could help launch new generation of satellites into space

Pulsar Fusion says there is a growing demand for larger, more powerful in-space propulsion systems as global launch services continue to expand.

As more and bigger satellites are sent into orbit, the aerospace industry is gearing up for larger in-space engines.

An "in-space propulsion system" is specifically designed to operate in the vacuum of space once a satellite is released from the rocket.

In January, British company Pulsar Fusion tested a 10 kW hall-effect thruster, which the company claims to be the largest engine of its kind ever tested in the UK.

According to the company, it’s over ten times larger than conventional 500 W engines and could "launch a new generation of super satellites".

Pulsar Fusion’s new hall-effect thruster uses electromagnetic fields to accelerate ionised gas at high speed to generate thrust using only a tiny amount of gas.

"We are talking about 30km a second in speed. So it's much more efficient than burning big tanks of rocket fuel, which you can do in space," Richard Dinan, the CEO of Pulsar Fusion told Euronews Next.

The test conducted at the University of Southampton was partially funded by the UK Space Agency.

We are talking about 30km a second in speed. So it's much more efficient than burning big tanks of rocket fuel, which you can do in space.
 Richard Dinan 
CEO, Pulsar Fusion
Pulsar Fusion says there is a growing demand for larger, more powerful in-space propulsion systems as global launch services continue to expand their capabilities and orbital payloads are expected to increase.