Cluster business announces international partnership to advance satellite propulsion technologies
Left to Right: Henry Lin from TAcc+, Federico Romei, CEO and Founder, OhmSpace, Lloyd Jacob Lopez, Co-Founder and CCO, HEX20, Tobias Marchant, International Partnership Manager, Space South Central.
The MoU cements the companies’ ongoing relationship following their introduction during a Space South Central-supported delegation to the UK as part of the Taiwan Industrial Technology Research Institute’s (ITRI) TAcc+ programme for space technology start-ups.
A spin-out from the University of Southampton – one of Space South Central’s four academic partners – OhmSpace develops high-performance electric propulsion systems that enable greater manoeuvrability and safety compared with conventional technologies.
Among the projects arising from the OhmSpace/HEX20 partnership is a joint In-Orbit Demonstration (IOD) mission for the Southampton company’s pioneering STAR-Water-nano system, a sustainable, water-based electric thruster designed for small satellites.
HEX20 – which has bases in Taiwan, India, the USA, the UAE and Australia – will provide comprehensive mission support, including CubeSat platform integration, testing, launch coordination and on-orbit operations.
The IOD mission – scheduled for launch later this year – will be the foundation for further joint opportunities in delivering propulsion solutions for customers requiring advanced in-orbit capabilities. The partnership will also support mission integration activities and enable new opportunities for upcoming space missions.
The MoU was signed at Space-Comm, London, by Federico Romei, OhmSpace’s CEO and Founder, and HEX20’s Co-Founder and Chief Commercial Officer, Lloyd Jacob Lopez.
Federico Romei, CEO and Founder, OhmSpace and Lloyd Jacob Lopez, Co-Founder and CCO, HEX20 signing the MoU at Space Comm.
Space South Central’s International Partnership Manager, Toby Marchant, who accompanied the original Taiwan delegation during their visit to the region to meet with our businesses and universities, and was invited to the MoU signing, said:
“It’s exciting to see two innovative, growing businesses develop this fantastic bilateral collaboration.
“It also highlights the importance of global relationships in boosting space innovation: the IOD of OhmSpace’s technology will mark a step forward in how we can use water as a green, high-energy-density propellant for small satellites.
“Space South Central will continue to support this growing partnership, and look forward to connecting more cluster businesses with global markets.”
Space South Central is the only UK regional space cluster with a dedicated International Partnerships manager. We provide FREE support to space-related businesses in Hampshire, Surrey and the Isle of Wight seeking global collaborations, trade and investment, and help overseas companies establish relationships and even bases in the region. For more info, contact t.marchant@surrey.ac.uk.
Find out more about OhmSpace in our Company Profile here.
