Orbion Space Technology

Orbion Space Technology develops and manufactures plasma thrusters, specifically Hall-effect thrusters, for small satellites weighing between 80 and 350 kilograms. The company's main product, the Aurora thruster, uses electricity to ionize xenon propellant to create thrust, making it four to five times more efficient than standard chemical propulsion systems. The coffee cup-sized thruster enables satellites to maneuver from their initial deployment position to their final orbital destination, adjust positioning to avoid collisions, and deorbit at the end of their lifespan. The thrust generated is equivalent to the weight of a dime. In October 2022, Orbion opened a new manufacturing facility in Houghton, Michigan equipped with specialized space simulation vacuum chambers that can test thrusters at temperatures of 411 degrees Fahrenheit below zero. The facility has the capacity to produce and test over 1,000 thrusters annually, representing a 20-fold increase from its previous capabilities.

Key customers and partnerships

Orbion's customer base includes major aerospace and defense companies like Raytheon Technologies and General Atomics. The company had secured orders from both commercial satellite operators and government buyers. In August 2021, Orbion was awarded a contract by the US Air Force to develop high-thrust propulsion systems that enable small satellites to avoid obstacles in orbit. The company has also supplied thrusters to a large commercial satellite operator for their Earth-observation spacecraft constellation. Orbion entered into a Data Usage Agreement with NASA's Glenn Research Center to receive detailed information about ion thruster development and a non-exclusive evaluation license for their technology.