• UT Austin PI: Thomas Underwood
  • Funding Source: DARPA
  • Award: $1M
  • Award Date: 3/15/2024

This work will support sustained travel in low Earth orbit through a big goal: the reimagination of propulsion systems. Instead of using atomic propellants based on xenon and other limited elements, the researchers will develop and test a prototype propulsion system that can harvest molecules and solar energy out of the atmosphere itself to compensate for drag on spacecraft. Learn more.