Space propulsion firm Magdrive details pulsed power system

(SpaceEnergy) UK space propulsion developer Magdrive has detailed a compact pulsed power system designed to deliver high peak electrical power to spacecraft propulsion and other high-demand systems.

The system was originally developed to support Magdrive’s high-power plasma propulsion technology and uses rapid discharge of stored energy to produce short, controlled power pulses.

Magdrive said the architecture derives from large-scale pulsed power systems developed for fusion applications but has been miniaturised and space-qualified in a modular format.

The company said the technology can provide high peak power without requiring the spacecraft’s continuous power supply to operate at the same level, potentially reducing dependence on larger battery packs or extensive solar arrays.

Magdrive said the system could also support other spacecraft applications requiring rapid energy storage and discharge.

Details were published ahead of a presentation scheduled for 25 August at the Small Satellite Conference in Salt Lake City, Utah. The conference paper became available on 22 August.