Article: Kreios Space has teamed up with Kongsberg NanoAvionics to fly a 200 kg microsatellite equipped with an atmospheric electric propulsion system in very-low-Earth orbit (VLEO), the 150-300 km band where most satellites decay within months. If the test proves the concept, satellites could use the thin air they are currently fighting to stay aloft, cutting the need for heavy, expensive chemical fuel.

Why VLEO is a problem

At VLEO altitudes the residual oxygen and nitrogen molecules create measurable drag. The drag saps orbital speed, and within weeks to months a satellite without propulsion spirals back to Earth. The same particles also erode exposed surfaces, shortening mission life. Conventional thrusters solve the drag problem by carrying propellant, but the extra mass reduces payload capacity and drives launch costs higher.

How “air-as-fuel” works

Kreios’s system works like a miniature vacuum cleaner and electric thruster rolled into one. An intake scoop gathers ambient O₂ and N₂ molecules. An onboard power source ionises the gas, turning it into plasma—a charged gas. The plasma is then expelled through an electric nozzle, producing thrust that counters drag. In effect, the atmosphere that slows the satellite becomes the propellant that pushes it forward.

The approach promises two immediate benefits:

  • Mass savings – No dedicated fuel tanks or large chemical thrusters, freeing up kilograms for sensors or communications gear.
  • Extended mission duration – Continuous thrust can keep a satellite in VLEO for years rather than months, enabling higher-resolution imaging and lower-latency links that only the densest parts of the atmosphere can provide.

Stakes for the industry

If Kreios’s test succeeds, operators of Earth-observation, communications and IoT constellations could lower launch costs and improve data quality. Sharper images come from being closer to the ground; latency drops for broadband services that rely on low-orbit relays. Companies that depend on satellite data—logistics firms, construction managers, precision agriculture providers—stand to gain faster, more detailed information.

The technology also brings new risks. Generating plasma in a harsh environment demands reliable power; the system must draw enough electricity from solar panels without compromising other payloads. The thrust levels are modest, so precise orbit-keeping will require sophisticated control software. Prolonged exposure to ionised exhaust could accelerate wear on spacecraft surfaces, a factor that has yet to be quantified in long-duration flights.

What’s next

Kreios plans to launch the test bus later this year, targeting a 150 km circular orbit to maximise atmospheric density. The mission will monitor thrust performance, power consumption and material degradation over several months. Success could lead to a commercial service offering “air-fuelled” propulsion kits for microsatellites, and may prompt other startups to explore similar concepts.

Bottom line

Turning atmospheric drag into thrust could rewrite the economics of VLEO missions. By harvesting the very particles that threaten to pull satellites down, Kreios Space aims to keep them up longer, cheaper and with higher performance. The upcoming flight will reveal whether the idea can move from laboratory physics to everyday space operations.