Harwell Campus is proud to highlight the recent announcement of a £1m grant from the UK Space Agency, awarded to Magdrive and Orbit Fab—two key members of our innovative community—towards a project that could revolutionise satellite refuelling and space sustainability.

Magdrive and Orbit Fab have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to collaborate on developing cutting-edge technology that will make space travel more economical and environmentally friendly. The project will focus on Magdrive’s SuperMagdrive thruster, an advanced propulsion system powered by solid metal that can be refuelled using resources found in space. This exciting development marks a significant step toward reducing space debris and enhancing the sustainability of future space missions.

“We’re thrilled to partner with Orbit Fab on this ambitious project,” said Mark Stokes, CEO of Magdrive. “Combining our expertise in propulsion with their innovations in refuelling infrastructure, we’re paving the way for more sustainable, efficient, and far-reaching space missions.”

This initiative is supported by the UK Space Agency’s National Space Innovation Programme (NSIP), which fosters groundbreaking projects aimed at advancing the UK’s position in the global space industry.

Magdrive, based here in Oxfordshire, specialises in propulsion technology for spacecraft, while American-based Orbit Fab leads the way in in-space refuelling. Together, they are working to bring a new era of space travel to life.

“With the SuperMagdrive’s capability to refuel using space-sourced metal propellants, deep-space missions are no longer just a dream—they’re on the horizon, and they’ll be more sustainable than ever before,” added Stokes. “This is just the start, and we’re excited to see how this technology will shape the future of the space industry.”

The agreement between Magdrive and Orbit Fab was announced at the 75th International Astronautical Congress in Milan, further underscoring the global importance of their work.

This exciting collaboration is a testament to the power of the Harwell Campus community in driving space innovation and sustainability.

Image credit: Magdrive