Kreios Space and NanoAvionics to Test First Commercial Air-Breathing Thruster

Spanish startup Kreios Space has contracted Kongsberg NanoAvionics to provide the satellite bus for the first commercial flight demonstration of an air-breathing electric propulsion (ABEP) system. The mission seeks to prove that satellites can maintain orbit without relying on traditional onboard liquid fuel.

To support the demonstration, NanoAvionics will provide a modified MP42 microsatellite bus. The ABEP system is specifically engineered for Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO), a region typically defined as the area between 100 and 400 kilometers (60 to 250 miles) above Earth. Rather than carrying a finite supply of propellant, the thruster works by scooping up residual atmospheric particles—primarily oxygen and nitrogen—which are then heated, ionized, and expelled to generate thrust.

The Challenge of VLEO

Conventional satellites operating in standard Low Earth Orbit (LEO) use onboard fuel for occasional orbital corrections. However, the environment in VLEO is significantly denser, creating substantial atmospheric drag that would normally cause a satellite to decay and re-enter the atmosphere rapidly. Because carrying enough traditional fuel to counteract this constant drag is impractical for small satellites, air-breathing propulsion is viewed as the essential technology required to make VLEO a viable operational zone.

Industry Implications

Successful deployment of ABEP technology would fundamentally change the economics and capabilities of Earth observation. By allowing satellites to operate closer to the planet, operators can achieve higher-resolution imaging and improved communications performance. Furthermore, VLEO is currently far less crowded than higher LEO altitudes, offering a more sustainable orbital infrastructure with a reduced risk of collisions.

"By enabling satellites to fly lower, longer and more efficiently, we are enabling higher-resolution Earth observation, much better satellite communications, more responsive and accurate missions and a more sustainable orbital infrastructure," said Adrián Senar, CEO of Kreios Space.

Next Steps

While the partnership with NanoAvionics establishes the hardware foundation for the mission, the timeline remains a key point of interest. Company data identifies 2027 as the notional target for the first space mission. Observers will be watching to see if the ABEP system can maintain a stable orbit in the high-drag environment of VLEO during its initial flight demonstration.