Morpheus Space

About Morpheus Space

Morpheus Space is a provider of in-space mobility technologies, addressing the growing market of satellite constellations and spacecraft. The company emerged in 2018 as a spin-off from a research project at the Dresden University of Technology in Germany. It was founded by Daniel Bock and István Lőrincz, who were inspired by their shared interest in science fiction and a desire to make humanity a space-faring civilization. Bock, an aerospace engineer, was completing his master's thesis on miniaturizing propulsion systems when he met Lőrincz. They identified the potential for mass-manufacturing a miniaturized Field Emission Electric Propulsion (FEEP) module to serve the burgeoning small satellite market. The company has since moved its headquarters to Los Angeles, California, to be closer to the heart of the New Space industry.

Morpheus Space has developed a holistic platform combining hardware and software to facilitate satellite mobility. Its core hardware product is the GO-2 electric propulsion system, a modular and scalable unit designed for satellites ranging from 6U to 250kg. The GO-2 system is a plug-and-play solution utilizing a solid metallic propellant, which eliminates leakage risks associated with chemicals or pressurized tanks. A key feature is its high redundancy, incorporating 40 individual thrusters, each with its own propellant tank, allowing for precise control and maneuverability. This technology is designed for mass production at the company's "Reloaded" facility in Dresden, which aims to produce 100 units annually. The company has successfully demonstrated the GO-2's capabilities in orbit, including heat-up of its metallic propellant, reliable ignition, and the execution of complex thrust profiles.

Complementing its hardware, Morpheus offers the Journey software platform, a mission design and analytics tool. Journey enables clients to design, simulate, and operate satellite missions, providing insights into ground station connections, data transmission rates, and overall mission performance. The platform integrates with the hardware to provide a comprehensive solution for satellite operators, systems engineers, and mission planners. The business model targets commercial companies, government agencies, and research institutions. A notable aspect of its strategy is a Hardware-as-a-Service (HaaS) on-demand pricing model, called Sphere Safe, which significantly lowers upfront costs for customers and aligns payment with system usage. The company has secured over $31 million in funding from investors including Alpine Space Ventures, Airbus Ventures, and In-Q-Tel.