Enpulsion

Enpulsion specializes in the design and manufacture of electric propulsion systems for nano- and microsatellites, positioning itself as a key supplier in the New Space economy. The company was founded in 2016 by Alexander Reissner as a spin-off from the research facility FOTEC. Reissner, who serves as CEO, has an extensive background in aerospace engineering and electric propulsion, having worked at RUAG Space and led the Electric Propulsion Systems team at the Austrian Institute of Technology. He identified the market potential for Field-Emission Electric Propulsion (FEEP) technology in the emerging SmallSat market and established Enpulsion to commercialize it.

The company’s core technology is based on Field-Emission Electric Propulsion (FEEP), which originated from over 30 years of research in partnership with the European Space Agency (ESA) and FOTEC. FEEP technology utilizes solid indium metal as a propellant, which is liquefied in orbit and then ionized and accelerated by strong electrostatic fields to generate thrust. This method offers high efficiency, precise thrust control, and a compact design. The use of solid, non-toxic indium eliminates the need for pressurized tanks and complex plumbing, simplifying satellite integration and reducing handling costs.

Enpulsion manufactures several product families in its semi-automated facility in Wiener Neustadt, Austria, including the ENPULSION NANO (formerly IFM NANO) and the ENPULSION MICRO. These thrusters are designed to be compact, scalable, and modular, catering to a range of spacecraft sizes and mission profiles, from Earth observation and communication constellations to in-orbit servicing. The ENPULSION NANO was the first European electric propulsion thruster to fly on a satellite constellation. As of April 2024, the company had over 200 active thrusters in space, with more than 300 units delivered to customers worldwide. To meet growing demand, the company doubled its manufacturing capacity in 2024 by expanding its facilities to 4,000 square meters.

Enpulsion operates on a business model of selling these propulsion systems directly to commercial and governmental satellite manufacturers and space agencies. The company is ISO 9001:2015 certified for its development, testing, serial production, and distribution processes. Its client base includes companies like NanoAvionics, Blue Canyon Technologies, and MethaneSAT. The company's strategic importance is recognized for contributing to Europe's space sovereignty by providing critical, non-dependent maneuvering capabilities for small satellites.

Keywords: Field-Emission Electric Propulsion, FEEP, small satellite propulsion, nanosatellite thrusters, microsatellite thrusters, indium propellant, electric propulsion systems, in-space mobility, satellite maneuverability, CubeSat propulsion, orbit raising, station keeping, collision avoidance, space debris mitigation, New Space, aerospace engineering, Alexander Reissner, FOTEC, European Space Agency, satellite constellations