Agile Space opens Bellevue engineering office for spacecraft propulsion

(SpaceEnergy) US spacecraft propulsion supplier Agile Space Industries has opened an engineering office in Bellevue, Washington, to support the development and delivery of chemical propulsion systems for commercial and government space missions.

The company announced the expansion on 15 October, establishing a new engineering and programme management operation in the Seattle metropolitan area.

The 508m² facility, located at Sunset North in Bellevue, will initially accommodate seven employees, with capacity to expand to approximately 30 as regional operations grow.

Agile's chief technology officer, Jake Mills, will be based at the new office.

The expansion is intended to strengthen the company's engineering capabilities and provide access to the Seattle region's aerospace workforce, suppliers and potential customers.

Agile develops chemical propulsion systems that enable spacecraft to manoeuvre, maintain their orbits and travel between destinations.

Its activities encompass thruster and engine development, propellant tanks, integrated propulsion systems, additive manufacturing and propulsion testing.

The Bellevue office will support engineering work across government and commercial programmes, from early development through qualified flight hardware.

The new location joins Agile's headquarters in Durango, Colorado, and its existing operations in Pennsylvania and Oklahoma.

Agile said the additional engineering capacity would support an expanding portfolio of spacecraft propulsion programmes.

The company did not disclose the investment associated with the Bellevue facility, additional propulsion contracts, manufacturing capacity or new engine qualification results.

The announcement represents an expansion of engineering operations rather than the completion of a propulsion technology demonstration.