In 2018, Elon Musk put a Tesla inspace.
Like many of the billionaires antics, it was a publicity stunt.
However, it pointed to an undeniable truth: the future of space travel is electric.
Most spacecraft today like cars and trucks back on Earth burn chemicals to get around.
A few startups have spun out from this work.
One of them is Paris-headquartered ION-X.
It hopes to build the most efficient propulsion system ever put in space.
ION-X has developed a so-called electrohydrodynamic (EHD) electrospray thruster.
It works by applying a high-voltage electric field to an ionic liquid fuel.
(Ionic liquid is made up of organic salts that are liquid at room temperature).
This adds to 4mn in seed capital, raised back in 2022.
40% off TNW Conference!
Its better at precisely manoeuvring satellites, the startup claims.
The ionic liquid fuel is also non-toxic and nonflammable, and thus safer.
ION-X is set to demonstrate its technology in orbit for the first time early next year.
Its thrusters will propel a satellite by Danish company Space Inventor as part of a larger ESA mission.
The company is also building a production facility near Paris.
Here it hopes to produce 200 ion thrusters per year by 2028.
The funding round was led by aerospace-focused VC Expansion and Technofounders.
Story bySion Geschwindt
Sion is a freelance science and technology reporter, specialising in climate and energy.
