Exotrail and Airbus to partner on small satellites propulsion
Aside from IAC2022, Airbus and Exotrail inked an agreement for integration of spaceware™- mini thruster (formerly known as ExoMG™ - mini), Exotrail’s new 300W to 600W class electric propulsion system, as part of Airbus’ Earth Observation satellite platform portfolio. The agreement contemplates the purchase and delivery of the 300W thruster version at completion of qualification activities in 2024 following a fast-paced new product development.
spaceware™- mini will significantly enlarge Exotrail’s spaceware ™ electric propulsion systems portfolio in the commercial and institutional markets for mid-size satellites. Exotrail will ensure the compatibility of its 300W class thruster with Airbus’ platforms, providing then Airbus with a new European source for Hall Effect propulsion thruster.
Airbus has developed its Earth Observation platform product line with the overarching objective to offer its customers high performance, high quality and competitiveness. The avionics and platform are based on a standard, but customizable design that covers a large variety of low Earth Orbit applications and can be tailored to customer requirements.
Airbus will be able to use Exotrail’s 300W class electric propulsion thruster into different configurations to meet its different needs and requirements.
Philippe Pham, SVP Head of Earth Observation and Science, at Airbus, stated:
“With this agreement, Airbus is paving the way for the next generation of electric propulsion on board our mid-size Earth observation satellites in low Earth orbit. It will enable further improvements in design flexibility, compactness, competitiveness and production times. We are thrilled to be working with Exotrail, a very successful European and French start-up.”
Jean-Luc Maria, Exotrail’s CEO, stated:
“Being selected by a leading satellite manufacturer like Airbus is an honor for Exotrail. Supplying electric propulsion to one of the first satellite manufacturers incorporating this technology in its commercial offer is a big step for our company and a true recognition of the efforts we put in the development of our spaceware™ electric propulsion portfolio with current deliveries worldwide”
ABOUT EXOTRAIL
Exotrail is an end-to-end space mobility operator. We design, develop and sell mobility solutions for an agile space. Our mission is to allow satellites to move in space, so that we can optimise their deployment, increase their service performances and reduce space pollution. Thanks to it, a new world of telecommunication, earth observation, space logistic and exploration will arise.
Exotrail's product portfolio allows our customers:
• to define accuratelytheir mobility needs with our collaborative, intuitive mission and system design software spacestudio™,
• to solve this mobilityneed with our high-thrust, flexible propulsion systems spaceware™ and our in-space transportation and logistics services with our spacevan™ vehicle,
• to operate the solution with our "flight dynamics-inside" constellation operation automation software spacetower™.
Exotrail has been incorporated in 2017 and has secured over 20M€ since then from prestigious Venture Capital funds and public grants. We have customers all across the globe on all our product lines - US, Europe and Asia. Our team is expanding quickly and consists, as of today, of +60 people who are passionate about disrupting the space industry. We operate out of two locations: Toulouse and Massy (suburb of Paris).
COMMUNICATION CONTACT
Léna Carton, lena.carton@exotrail.com +33 6.76.36.47.20
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ABOUT AIRBUS DEFENCE & SPACE
Airbus Defence and Space is one of the two divisions of Airbus and Europe’s number 1 defence and space company. It is one of the world´s leading space companies and one of the top 10 defence companies globally, with revenues of around €10 billion and approx. 33,000 employees.
