{"id":34574,"date":"2025-11-21T10:55:20","date_gmt":"2025-11-21T10:55:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/metaverseplanet.net\/blog\/?p=34574"},"modified":"2025-11-25T07:13:07","modified_gmt":"2025-11-25T07:13:07","slug":"satellites-with-never-ending-batteries-are-coming","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/metaverseplanet.net\/blog\/satellites-with-never-ending-batteries-are-coming\/","title":{"rendered":"Satellites With Never-Ending Batteries Are Coming"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A new system eliminating dependence on traditional fuels<\/strong> generates propulsion<\/strong> by collecting sparse air in VLEO<\/strong> and converting it into plasma<\/strong>. The SabreSat<\/strong>, only 100 cm<\/strong> long, can theoretically remain at an altitude of 150 km<\/strong> for up to seven years<\/strong>, multiplying surveillance capacity<\/strong>. The US Department of Defense<\/strong>‘s research arm, DARPA<\/strong>, is pushing boundaries in space by moving the Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO)<\/strong> Otter satellite<\/a><\/em> program<\/strong> to the production stage. Florida-based company Redwire<\/strong> announced it won a $44 million contract<\/strong> to transition to Phase 2 of the Otter program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Redwire<\/strong> had also won the prime contract for Otter<\/strong> last year, tasked with developing a VLEO satellite<\/strong> capable of using an air-breathing electric propulsion system<\/strong> to stay in orbit without relying on a fixed amount of fuel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

VLEO<\/strong> covers altitudes between 90 and 450 kilometers<\/strong>. This region is relatively uncrowded compared to Low Earth Orbit<\/strong> and geosynchronous orbit<\/strong> altitudes, primarily because there is much more atmospheric drag<\/strong> on objects at that height. This necessitates more frequent use of propulsion systems<\/strong> to maintain orbit, which limits the lifespan of satellite missions in VLEO.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A System Generating Energy from Air<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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According to the explanation on DARPA<\/strong>‘s Otter program webpage, “Otter aims to enable extended satellite operations at VLEO altitudes<\/strong> by harvesting ambient low-density air<\/strong>, ionizing and accelerating the resulting ion flow<\/strong>, thus using a nearly limitless source of propellant<\/strong>.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Redwire<\/strong> states that this system uses the very scarce air existing at VLEO altitudes to convert it into plasma<\/strong> in an ionization chamber<\/strong>. Charged particles can then be ejected from the spacecraft as a propulsive force<\/strong> without the need for onboard gas<\/strong>. Since there is no need for onboard fuel<\/strong>, such satellites can be built smaller and lighter, theoretically lasting much longer than the lifespan of a device dependent on traditional fuels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, building such systems is not easy. If successful, Redwire<\/strong>‘s design will be the first of its kind to reach orbit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As Redwire<\/strong> notes, VLEO missions<\/strong> have certain advantages due to being closer to the ground, such as improved sensor perception<\/strong>, lower latency<\/strong>, and increased ability to revisit specific points on Earth<\/strong>. Additionally, VLEO operations offer an ideal environment for used satellites and space<\/a><\/em> debris<\/strong> at the lowest altitudes to de-orbit in just hours or days rather than remaining in space for years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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SabreSat Preparing for Flight<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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The design selected for the Otter program<\/strong> is a surprisingly small, drone-like device named SabreSat<\/strong> by Redwire<\/strong>, measuring only 100 cm<\/strong> in length. As designed, this device is expected to last up to seven years<\/strong> at altitudes of approximately 150 km<\/strong>. SabreSat<\/strong> is designed for various missions such as intelligence gathering<\/strong>, surveillance and reconnaissance<\/strong>, communication<\/strong>, navigation<\/strong>, and scientific research<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, it is not clear whether Redwire<\/strong> has yet built a functional SabreSat<\/strong> or VLEO air-breathing electric thruster<\/strong>. DARPA<\/strong> also mentions on the Otter program page that recreating VLEO conditions<\/strong> in ground test facilities is difficult. Therefore, the launch of a functional SabreSat<\/strong> will be the first moment the company has the opportunity to test its design in the field.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to DARPA<\/strong>, the Otter program<\/strong> will conclude with an “orbiting wind tunnel” demonstration of SabreSat<\/strong>‘s electric propulsion technology<\/strong> lasting more than a year. Ground tests of Redwire<\/strong>‘s thruster and air intake technology<\/strong> must also be conducted so that the obtained data can be compared with information gathered from orbital operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to developing SabreSat<\/strong> for DARPA<\/strong>‘s Otter program<\/strong>, Redwire<\/strong> is also working with the European Space Agency (ESA)<\/strong> to develop its own VLEO platform<\/strong>, Phantom<\/strong>. However, unlike the drone-style device designed for DARPA<\/strong>, Phantom<\/strong> resembles a more traditional satellite<\/strong>, has a shorter lifespan, and lacks air-breathing capability<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Furthermore, Redwire<\/strong> is working with Deepsat<\/strong> to develop a network of VLEO Earth observation satellites<\/strong>. This contract was signed just this July, and it is unclear at what stage the project is.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is also not yet clear when DARPA<\/strong> intends to launch Redwire<\/strong>‘s Otter spacecraft<\/strong>. According to solicitation documents from 2023, DARPA<\/strong> envisions the program lasting four years. Considering Redwire<\/strong> received its initial contract in 2024, Otter<\/strong> may not take to the skies before 2027<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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