Magdrive

Magdrive is a British space technology company developing next-generation electric plasma propulsion systems for satellites and spacecraft. Founded in 2019 by CEO Mark Stokes and CTO Dr. Thomas Clayson, both graduates of Imperial College London, the company is headquartered at the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus in Oxfordshire. Stokes has a background in mechanical and deep learning engineering with experience in robotics and aerospace systems, while Dr. Clayson is a plasma physicist and pulsed power electronics engineer.

The company's core technology revolves around a miniaturized, powerful plasma thruster that operates on a solid metal propellant. This system is designed to generate thrust levels significantly higher than traditional electric propulsion systems of a similar size by creating a high-energy plasma. The thrusters are charged with solar power and can be discharged rapidly for high-thrust maneuvers, offering high efficiency that can reduce fuel consumption by up to 90%. A key feature is the ability to use sustainable metal propellants, which could potentially be sourced from recycled space debris or through asteroid mining in the future. The system also allows for gimballing without moving parts by varying the properties of the plasma chamber to direct thrust.

Magdrive is developing a family of thrusters, including the "Rogue" thruster, designed for small satellites like CubeSats. This model is intended for applications such as satellite constellation management, in-space servicing, and collision avoidance. The company's business model is focused on providing these advanced propulsion solutions to satellite operators and manufacturers, aiming to enhance mission capabilities, improve maneuverability, and extend the operational life of spacecraft. In June 2025, Magdrive launched its first two thrusters into orbit in partnership with D-Orbit for an in-orbit demonstration.

Since its inception, Magdrive has secured significant funding. After an initial pre-seed round of $2 million in 2020 led by Founders Fund, the company received grants from the UK Government, UK Space Agency, and the European Space Agency. In February 2025, Magdrive announced a $10.5 million seed funding round led by Redalpine, bringing its total raised funds to approximately $22.5 million. The new capital is intended for further research and development, the construction of a manufacturing facility in the UK, and the establishment of a U.S. office.

Keywords: electric propulsion, plasma thruster, small satellites, spacecraft propulsion, CubeSat, in-space mobility, solid propellant, satellite constellation, space debris avoidance, deep space travel, Harwell, Mark Stokes, Thomas Clayson, high-thrust, in-space servicing, space technology, aerospace engineering, plasma physics, sustainable space, collision avoidance