LOGAN, Utah — York Space Systems, a Colorado startup planning to mass manufacture standard spacecraft buses, is joining forces with Accion Systems to offer customers the option of integrating Accion’s ion engine with their satellites.
York and Accion announced the agreement Aug. 7 at the Small Satellite conference here.
York is building a factory in Denver to produce as many as 200 satellites per year. The firm plans to charge customers $675,000 to $1 million for next-day delivery of three-axis stabilized satellite buses designed to support payloads weighing up to 85 kilograms.
Although the satellite buses are common, York will offer customers standard options, including propulsion. With the new agreement, customers seeking propulsion for their York satellites will be able to choose between Accion’s electric propulsion system and Enpulsion of Austria’s Field Effect Electric Propulsion.
“We are thrilled to be working with York Space Systems, one of the most exciting manufacturers of satellites today,” Natalya Bailey, Accion Systems chief executive, said in a statement. “By leveraging our scalable electric propulsion systems, York’s customers will be able to expand the capabilities and extend the life of each mission, helping create a new standard for what’s achievable in commercial and government space.”
Dirk Wallinger, CEO of York Space Systems said, “With Accion onboard, we will continue to lead by ensuring our customers’ satellites are equipped with even lighter, more efficient and more powerful spacecraft propulsion engines.”
