Electric propulsion firm Aliena selected for 2027 orbit-raising mission

(SpaceEnergy) Singapore electric propulsion developer Aliena’s MUSIC Hall thruster has been selected to provide orbit raising for a 50kg-class South Korean technology-demonstration satellite scheduled to launch in 2027.

The Space Trajectory Demonstrator 1.0 propulsion system will combine four baseline MUSIC 4U thruster systems with two xenon tanks. Aliena gives the integrated system a planned total impulse of at least 150kN·s and combined thrust of up to 12mN.

The electric propulsion system will perform orbit raising after launch of the microsatellite aboard a Korean Space Launch Vehicle II (KSLV-II) in the third quarter of 2027.

Aliena said the propulsion subsystem is following an 18-month development programme, including six months of initial design followed by system architecture, assembly, integration and environmental qualification activities.

The conference disclosure identifies the mission selection and integrated four-thruster configuration, providing new programme detail beyond the company’s baseline MUSIC propulsion-system development.