MEDIA AND PRESS
Phase Four In the News
Phase Four is a disruptive provider of next generation electric propulsion (EP) solutions for small satellites. The company was founded in 2015 to address the demands of the rapid proliferation of satellite constellations and to accelerate the advancement of its radio-frequency thruster (RFT). The Phase Four RFT represents a revolutionary new architecture that realizes lower cost, mass-manufacturability, miniaturized power electronics, and propellant agnosticism over incumbent technologies, without compromising performance. In 2021 Phase Four’s Maxwell turn-key propulsion system achieved flight heritage and is now being regularly utilized by small satellite operators. For media/press inquiries, contact us.
Updates
Phase Four Partners with Redwire to Expand Space Propulsion Offerings and Deliver Hall Effect Thrusters
Based on the NASA-designed and tested H71M Hall Effect Thruster, the two companies will manufacture a family of propulsion systems spanning a range of input power and propellants.
Phase Four Accelerates Mission with Announcement of Distinguished Board of Advisors
Phase Four, a leading provider of next generation electric propulsion (EP) solutions for satellites, proudly announces its distinguished Board of Advisors. Comprised of esteemed former government space leaders and industry visionaries, the Board will play a pivotal role in informing Phase Four’s strategic direction and advancing its mission of revolutionizing in-space propulsion technology.
DARPA Awards Phase Four $14.9M Contract to Develop Air Breathing Electric Propulsion for Very Low Earth Orbit Operations
Phase Four, a leading provider of next generation electric propulsion (EP) solutions for satellites, was awarded a $14.9M contract by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to deliver an “air-breathing” EP system to enable extended satellite operations in Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO), at altitudes as low as 90-450km.
Leonid Capital Partners Bolsters Space Portfolio with $6.25MM Investment in Phase Four
Leonid Capital Partners, a leading investment firm focused on high-growth technology companies working in the National Security industry, today announced a new $6.25MM financing for Phase Four, a revolutionary aerospace company developing advanced propulsion systems for the next generation of space vehicles.
Space Force eyes a future of speed and agility in orbit
The Space Rapid Capabilities Office co-sponsored this year’s Hyperspace Challenge to get more insight into commercial technologies that could enable dynamic space operations, such as satellite propulsion.
Phase Four Wins AFWERX Funding Boost for Propulsion Tech Development
Propulsion company Phase Four received a funding increase from the Air Force Research Laboratory and its innovation arm AFWERX.
Phase Four’s spacecraft engine first to demo AFRL’s game-changing ‘green’ fuel
Former NASA administrator Jim Bridenstine told Breaking Defense that Phase Four has the potential to “disrupt the in-space propulsion market,” and its technology “is important for the country.”
Phase Four Unveils Game Changing Engine for LEO Constellations
Leveraging its new Block 2 architecture, Phase Four announces Max-V, a revolutionary plasma propulsion system available in 2023
Phase Four adopts iodine for next-gen Max-V engine
Propulsion startup Phase Four is expanding its Maxwell plasma propulsion line by offering Max-V, an iodine-fueled engine.
Jim Bridenstine, Former NASA Administrator, joins Phase Four’s Board of Directors
Bridenstine brings a wealth of industry experience and a commitment to space sustainability
Former NASA administrator joins board of spacecraft propulsion startup Phase Four
Former NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine joined the board of directors of spacecraft propulsion startup Phase Four, the company told CNBC.
Phase Four and Impulse Space to Collaborate on Multi-Mode Propulsion
Phase Four, the creator of the radio-frequency thruster (RF Thruster) for satellite propulsion, announced today that it has signed a memorandum of understanding with Impulse Space, a Space 2.0 pioneer providing agile, economical last-mile space payload delivery capabilities.
Opinion: Make The U.S. Electric Propulsion Supply Chain More Secure
For most of the last decade, the U.S. relied almost entirely on Russia for rocket engines and crewed launches into space.
Phase Four Hires Former SpaceX Attorney Margaret Abernathy as General Counsel
Phase Four expands its leadership team to support the company’s rapid growth in both the commercial and government markets.
Phase Four wins DARPA contract to test novel propellant
Phase Four won a Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency contract to demonstrate the California startup’s radio frequency thruster technology with a new propellant
Phase Four Awarded Novel Thruster Prototype Development Contract by DARPA
The Company will adapt its versatile radio-frequency thruster to operate on novel, low cost propellants.
Phase Four and Orbit Fab to work on Maxwell engine refueling
Propulsion startup Phase Four has signed a memorandum of understanding with satellite refueling startup Orbit Fab aimed at preparing future Phase Four Maxwell engines for on-orbit refueling.
2021 by the Numbers & a Sneak Preview of 2022
2021 has been by far the most significant year in the history of Phase Four
PhaseFour Debuts Improved Thruster
Satellite electric propulsion company Phase Four has completed testing of a new thruster that it says offers significantly improved performance
Phase Four Reveals Next Generation RF Thruster Performance
In the wake of delivering its 10th flight unit, Phase Four announces 85%+ performance improvement in 2nd generation thruster
Phase Four Aims To Roll Out Its Next-Gen Plasma Thruster In The First Half Of 2022
Space startup Phase Four will be rolling out the next generation of its Maxwell radio-frequency plasma propulsion system next year