New Zealand’s space-flight systems company Zenno Astronautics (Zenno) has completed the integration of the world’s first superconducting magnetic torquer for fuel-free spacecraft attitude control. The Z01™ was integrated inside D-Orbit’s ION Satellite Carrier in preparation for its first in-orbit validation mission. The orbital transfer vehicle with Z01 integrated is slated for launch via SpaceX’s Falcon 9 in Q4 2023.
Zenno co-founder and CEO Max Arshavsky says, “We’re about to witness the beginning of a new era of superconducting technology empowering in-space operations — from satellite agility to radiation shielding, close proximity operations and beyond. This is a milestone for the Z01 and Zenno as we work to give the space industry what it needs to progress — a reliable, scalable and fully electric solution for in-orbit maneuverability. Zenno technology unlocks new design freedoms alongside immediate and yet-to-be-explored benefits for satellite design, mission length and expansion into space. We’re just getting started.”
Left to right: The Zenno team Dula Jayakody (Thermal Engineer), James Brown (Software Engineer), Julian Ward (Electrical Lead) and Sasha Broxup (Mission Manager) present D’Obit’s Andrea Testore (D-Orbit Mission Manager) with a koru to acknowledge D’Orbit’s support and dedication to Zenno’s mission.
Arshavsky says D-Orbit, a company leader in the space logistics industry, is an ideal partner, with the capability and heritage to prove Zenno’s technology in space for the satellite manufacturing sector to enable a shift to more dynamic satellite operations.
“We’re delighted to be partnered with D-Orbit in the first phase of our product delivery. With Zenno’s payload hosted on D-Orbit’s ION Satellite Carrier, this mission will help accelerate the availability of our fuel-free technology — creating a significant paradigm shift for the New Space market and beyond.”
D-Orbit founder and CEO Luca Rossettini adds, “Innovation is at the core of the space industry, and we are proud to have the opportunity to work with Zenno to validate in orbit their disruptive technology on our ION Satellite Carrier. This marks an important step towards redefining satellite operations. This collaboration truly exemplifies our shared commitment to shaping the future of space technology, while accelerating the go-to-market phase for all the innovation in this fast-growing space sector.”
Built on Zenno’s proprietary superconducting magnet technology, Z01 enables fully autonomous and fuel-free satellite positioning and precision interactions between satellites. Z01 is designed to de-tumble, stabilize, and control the attitude of a spacecraft by aligning it to the Earth’s magnetic field and is a fraction of the size and weight of traditional technology.
