Kreios Space to test air-breathing propulsion in orbit

Spanish startup Kreios Space has announced plans to test a pioneering Air-Breathing Electric Propulsion (ABEP) system in orbit. This technology aims to allow satellites to operate in Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO), at altitudes between 100 and 400 kilometers, by using residual atmospheric gases like oxygen and nitrogen as propellant.

Traditional satellites must carry all their fuel, which increases weight and launch costs. The ABEP system works by inhaling air from the upper atmosphere, heating it to ionize the gases, and then expelling it to generate thrust. This allows the spacecraft to counteract atmospheric drag without needing large onboard fuel reserves.

The upcoming mission, scheduled for 2028, will utilize the MP42 microsatellite platform from the Lithuanian company Kongsberg NanoAvionics. The mission seeks to validate the propulsion technology, collect environmental data, and capture sub-metric resolution imagery in visible and near-infrared spectral ranges.