Air-Breathing Electric Propulsion Set to Power First Satellite Test Flight

air-breathing electric propulsion (ABEP) breakthrough

Spanish firm Kreios Space is poised to debut the world’s first satellite equipped with air-breathing electric propulsion (ABEP), a system that harvests residual atmospheric particles, heats and ionises them to generate thrust. The concept promises to keep satellites aloft in very low Earth orbit—100 km to 400 km—without traditional fuel. The test flight, targeted for ↑ 2027, will ride aboard a Kongsberg NanoAvionics MP42 bus, selected for its modular design.

“By enabling satellites to fly lower, longer and more efficiently, we are unlocking higher‑resolution Earth observation and more agile communications,” Kreios CEO Adrián Senar told Reuters.

VLEO’s thin atmosphere creates drag that would deplete conventional propellant in weeks; ABEP could slash fuel use by ↑ 85%, extending mission life.

Why VLEO matters

Operating below 400 km reduces latency for data links and yields sharper imagery, while the orbital shell remains relatively uncrowded compared with the congested LEO tier dominated by megaconstellations. If ABEP proves viable, a new generation of ultra‑low satellites could transform remote sensing, broadband, and on‑orbit servicing. Industry observers see this as a pivotal step toward a sustainable orbital economy.

Reported by Nova Stirling (Aerospace & Space Tech Correspondent).