The booming satellite tv for pc business has been a boon for Morpheus Space, which produces a modular, electrical propulsion system for small satellites.
Morpheus has raised a $28 million Series A, with which it intends to construct a manufacturing unit in Dresden, Germany, the place it’s primarily based, and to extend headcount. That can enable the corporate to ramp up manufacturing of its propulsion methods to satisfy exponentially rising demand within the smallsat market; since 2019, the variety of small satellite tv for pc launches has elevated by almost 450%.
In 2020, Morpheus launched its Nano Discipline Impact Electrical Propulsion (NanoFEEP) thruster, which it claims is the “smallest and most effective electrical in-space propulsion system” on the earth.
As a result of the system is modular, NanoFEEP thrusters could be mixed to create extra highly effective propulsion methods to satisfy the wants of a selected satellite tv for pc. As an example, a cluster of seven NanoFEEP thrusters is named a MultiFEEP, and a number of MultiFEEP thrusters could be added to be able to maneuver bigger craft. This permits purchasers to keep away from spending extra time and sources growing personalized propulsion methods for every of its satellites.
For the reason that launch of NanoFEEP, Morpheus has landed purchasers like Spire World, Antaris House and Rocket Manufacturing facility Augsburg — with a lot extra on the best way.
“Within the final 12 months, our variety of contracts has elevated by 250% and is on tempo to develop extra,” mentioned István Lőrincz, president of Morpheus, who also spoke on the topic at last year’s TC Sessions: Space. “The brand new manufacturing unit will assist us meet the wants of our rising consumer base. We’re going to present by instance that the NewSpace business must implement scalable enterprise and manufacturing options as quick as doable to satisfy the anticipated projections.”
Morpheus has already indicated its nimbleness in two brief years. “One main enchancment we applied not too long ago in our {hardware} got here within the type of a brand new propellant that has improved the efficiency of our propulsion methods. It’s non-toxic and non-corrosive with zero transport or dealing with restrictions,” mentioned Lőrincz, noting that the previous gasoline used gallium.
The corporate has additionally developed the Sphere ecosystem, an all-in-one package deal that Morpheus claims differentiates it from its opponents. “We offer a platform-agnostic AI for his or her satellite tv for pc navigation, an utility that helps plan all the buyer journey from design to satellite tv for pc operations, mission design software program for constellations, and our world-class propulsion units,” mentioned Lőrincz.
The funding spherical was led by Alpine House Ventures, with participation from Vsquared Ventures, Lavrock Ventures, Airbus Ventures, In-Q-Tel, Pallas Ventures and Techstars Ventures. With 1000’s of satellites because of launch over the following few years, Morpheus has a lot extra potential purchasers (and buyers) to woo with its system.
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