Aurora Propulsion Technologies
Company Information
Headquarters
Espoo, Finland
Year Founded
2018
Industries
Aerospace, Satellite Manufacturing, Satellite Operations, Space Sustainability, Defense, Earth Observation, Satellite Communications
What Is Aurora Propulsion Technologies?
Aurora Propulsion Technologies is a space technology company that develops satellite propulsion and deorbiting systems for CubeSats, SmallSats, and other compact spacecraft. Its technologies allow satellites to adjust their orbits, control their orientation, avoid collisions, and safely leave orbit at the end of their missions.
The company specializes in miniature water-based thrusters and propellant-free plasma brake systems. These technologies provide satellite manufacturers and operators with compact hardware for spacecraft maneuvering, orbital maintenance, and space debris prevention.
What Does Aurora Propulsion Technologies Do?
Aurora Propulsion Technologies designs and manufactures propulsion modules that enable small satellites to perform orbital adjustments, maintain their positioning, and change their orientation in space. Its Aurora Resistojet Modules use electrically heated propellant to generate thrust, supporting satellite navigation and collision avoidance.
The company also develops satellite deorbiting technology through its Aurora Plasma Brake systems. These devices use electrically charged tethers to generate drag in Earth’s ionosphere, gradually lowering a satellite’s orbit until atmospheric reentry. Aurora also develops integrated propulsion systems that combine different thruster technologies for more complex spacecraft missions.
Aurora Propulsion Technologies Technology
Aurora Propulsion Technologies develops spacecraft maneuvering systems based on water resistojet propulsion. These miniature thrusters use electrical energy to heat a propellant, which expands through a nozzle to generate thrust. The technology enables small satellites to perform orbital corrections, attitude adjustments, and collision avoidance maneuvers without relying on conventional hazardous propellants.
Its plasma brake technology uses a thin, electrically charged tether that interacts with plasma particles in Earth’s ionosphere. This interaction produces an electrostatic drag force that gradually reduces a satellite’s orbital altitude. Unlike conventional deorbiting thrusters, plasma brakes do not require stored propellant and are designed to support end-of-life disposal from low Earth orbit.
Aurora also develops multimodal electric propulsion systems that combine Hall-effect thrusters with resistojet technology. Hall-effect propulsion supports larger orbital changes, while resistojet thrusters provide attitude control and smaller maneuvers. By integrating these propulsion methods with shared propellant management hardware, the company supports compact spacecraft designs for satellite constellations and deep-space missions.
Why Aurora Propulsion Technologies Matters
Small satellites have limited space, mass, and power available for propulsion hardware. These constraints can make it difficult to perform orbital corrections, avoid collisions, or control spacecraft movement. Aurora Propulsion Technologies addresses these challenges through miniature satellite propulsion systems that can be integrated into compact spacecraft without requiring large propulsion assemblies.
Its plasma brake technology also addresses the growing problem of orbital debris. By using electrostatic drag instead of stored propellant, the system provides an alternative method for removing satellites from orbit after their missions end. This approach can help satellite operators plan for end-of-life disposal and meet orbital debris mitigation requirements.
As the number of small satellites and commercial constellations increases, technologies for collision avoidance and orbital maintenance become more important. Aurora’s propulsion and deorbiting systems support spacecraft maneuverability throughout a mission while providing options for responsible satellite disposal.
Aurora Propulsion Technologies Products & Platforms
Aurora Resistojet Module (ARM): A family of miniature water-based propulsion systems for CubeSats and SmallSats. The modules support orbital maneuvering, spacecraft orientation, collision avoidance, and combined attitude and orbit control.
ARM-C Collision Avoidance Module: A compact resistojet propulsion unit designed to help small satellites perform collision avoidance maneuvers. The system uses water-based propellant and can be integrated into CubeSats and larger small satellite platforms.
ARM-O Orbit Control Module: A miniature propulsion system developed for satellite orbit adjustments, station-keeping, and maneuvering. It provides thrust for small orbital changes using electrically heated propellant.
ARM-A Attitude Control Module: A propulsion configuration designed to control spacecraft orientation and support pointing requirements for onboard instruments, cameras, and other satellite payloads.
Aurora Plasma Brake (APB): A propellant-free satellite deorbiting system that deploys an electrically charged microtether. The product family includes compact plasma brakes for CubeSats and larger configurations for SmallSats, designed to accelerate orbital decay after mission completion.
Multi-Modal Electric Propulsion Engine (MEPE): An integrated propulsion system combining Hall-effect and resistojet thrusters. It provides orbital maneuvering and attitude control through a shared propellant management architecture, supporting satellite constellations and missions beyond low Earth orbit.
Aurora Propulsion Technologies Applications
Satellite Collision Avoidance: Enabling CubeSats and SmallSats to adjust their trajectories when potential collisions with other spacecraft or orbital debris are identified.
Orbit Control and Station-Keeping: Maintaining satellite orbital positions and performing corrections that compensate for atmospheric drag or changing mission requirements.
Satellite Attitude Control: Adjusting spacecraft orientation to support communications antennas, Earth observation cameras, and scientific instruments.
Satellite Deorbiting: Lowering the orbits of retired spacecraft using plasma brake technology to support atmospheric reentry and reduce the accumulation of orbital debris.
Satellite Constellations: Supporting orbital maintenance, collision avoidance, and spacecraft maneuverability across groups of small satellites operating in coordinated networks.
Deep-Space Missions: Providing integrated propulsion technologies for spacecraft requiring orbital changes and attitude control beyond low Earth orbit.
Space Sustainability: Helping satellite manufacturers and operators incorporate collision avoidance and end-of-life disposal capabilities into spacecraft designs.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is Aurora Propulsion Technologies?
Aurora Propulsion Technologies is a space technology company that develops miniature propulsion systems, satellite collision avoidance thrusters, and plasma brake technology for small satellites and CubeSats.
What is the Aurora Resistojet Module?
The Aurora Resistojet Module (ARM) is a miniature spacecraft propulsion system that uses electrically heated propellant, typically water, to generate thrust. It supports satellite orbit adjustments, attitude control, and collision avoidance maneuvers.
How does the Aurora Plasma Brake work?
The Aurora Plasma Brake deploys a thin, electrically charged tether that interacts with plasma in Earth’s ionosphere. This interaction creates drag that gradually lowers a satellite’s orbit, helping it reenter the atmosphere without using conventional propulsion fuel.
What is the difference between ARM-C and ARM-O?
ARM-C is designed primarily for satellite collision avoidance, while ARM-O provides propulsion for orbital adjustments and maneuvering. Both use miniature resistojet thruster technology.
What is Aurora’s Multi-Modal Electric Propulsion Engine?
The Multi-Modal Electric Propulsion Engine (MEPE) combines Hall-effect propulsion with resistojet thrusters. It provides orbital maneuvering and attitude control through an integrated system that shares propellant management components.
Can Aurora Propulsion Technologies help prevent space debris?
Yes. Its collision avoidance thrusters help operational satellites maneuver away from potential hazards, while its plasma brake systems are designed to reduce the time inactive satellites remain in orbit.
What types of satellites use Aurora propulsion systems?
Aurora develops propulsion and deorbiting systems for CubeSats, nanosatellites, microsatellites, and other SmallSats used in communications, Earth observation, scientific research, and government space missions.
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