About Us

Our history and portfolio

What we do

ENPULSION GmbH is a space tech company based in Austria. Founded in 2016, it has quickly become a dominant player in the space industry selling one of the most advanced propulsion solutions for small sats to a large number of worldwide satellite platform integrators. Our unique modular solutions offer to satellite manufacturers high performance at a low cost, enabling the exploration of the Solar System and the democratization of space. ENPULSION is thus positioned at the very heart of the New Space era.

Production. Means. Perfection.

ENPULSION has successfully introduced a high rate production of a high-performance electric propulsion technology. Based on value stream analysis, a scalable production line design has been implemented that scales to mega constellation production rates. Our product lifecycle philosophy is based on the agility of lean manufacturing combined with heritage quality processes. The final result is a high customer value in terms of product performance, cost reduction and short cycle times.

In December 2019 ENPULSION’s management system was awarded the ISO 9001:2015 certification as a further proof of our commitment to quality without compromises and to the constant improvement of
products and processes.

100% incoming inspection of all mechanical parts

100% traceability of all parts, manufacturing, and testing

Lean Production (KANBAN) for high throughput

Batch testing on part, component, and system-level

100% functional acceptance testing of all outgoing thrusters

Where we come from.

The ENPULSION NANO uses the FEEP technology developed by FOTEC for more than 30 years. The positive ions emitted by the ion emitters have been used to control the electrostatic potential of a spacecraft or as primary ion source for secondary ion spectrometry on numerous space missions.

 

It all started in

1989
AIT starts to develop Liquid Metal Ion Sources
AIT starts to develop Liquid Metal Ion Sources

At the Austrian Institute of Technology (AIT) the first Liquid Metal Ion Sources (LMIS) are developed, producing a precise beam of high energy indium ions.

1991
More than 120 LMIS operated in space
More than 120 LMIS operated in space

More than 120 Liquid Metal Ion Sources (LMIS) are successfully operated in space for a total of more than 20,000 hours.

2016
Foundation of ENPULSION
Foundation of ENPULSION

ENPULSION is founded (first under the name of AMR Propulsion Innovations) as a spin-off from FOTEC to commercialize FEEP technology.

2017
First ENPULSION NANO thruster delivered
First ENPULSION NANO thruster delivered

Delivery of the first ENPULSION NANO propulsion system to a commercial customer.

17,000 hours Performance Test
17,000 hours Performance Test

The performance test of a FEEP thruster reaches 17,000 hours.

2018
In-Orbit Demonstration
In-Orbit Demonstration

The first satellite equiped with an ENPULSION NANO propulsion system is successfully launched for an in-orbit demonstration.

Opening of ENPULSION production facility
Opening of ENPULSION production facility

ENPULSION opens its 300 sqm (3,200 sqft) semi-automated production facility.

ENPULSION operates active serial production
ENPULSION operates active serial production

ENPULSION operates an active serial production and produces two thrusters per week.

2019
ISO 9001:2015 Certification
ISO 9001:2015 Certification

ENPULSION’s management system receives ISO 9001:2015 certification.

2020
ENPULSION reaches milestone
ENPULSION reaches milestone

ENPULSION reaches a milestone: 50 thrusters in space.

ENPULSION MICRO Launch
ENPULSION MICRO Launch

The ENPULSION MICRO R³ propulsion system is launched to cover the propulsion needs of heavier satellites.

2021
ENPULSION breaks another record
ENPULSION breaks another record

ENPULSION breaks another record: launching 25 thrusters on 11 satellites of 4 commercial customers onboard the Falcon X Transporter-2 rideshare mission.

2022
ENPULSION has launched its 100th thruster
ENPULSION has launched its 100th thruster

ENPULSION has launched its 100th thruster. More to come…

ENPULSION NEO PDR success
ENPULSION NEO PDR success

The ENPULSION NEO propulsion system successfully passes its ESA Preliminary Design Review (PDR).

2023
Introducing the ENPULSION Thruster Simulator Suite
Introducing the ENPULSION Thruster Simulator Suite

Launching our ENPULSION Thruster Simulator Suite: a comprehensive testing tool for satellite manufacturers and operators.

World’s first Nanosatellite in GEO
World’s first Nanosatellite in GEO

Celebrating GS-1, the world’s first nanosatellite destined for geostationary orbit, — powered by ENPULSION NANO AR³ thrusters.

2024
ENPULSION passes another milestone: 200 in space
ENPULSION passes another milestone: 200 in space

ENPULSION passes another important milestone: 200 propulsion systems in space, more than 300 propulsion systems delivered, and a cumulative on-orbit time of over 400 years.

ENPULSION’s new 4,000 sqm (43,000 sqft) facilities
ENPULSION’s new 4,000 sqm (43,000 sqft) facilities

With ENPULSION’s new 4,000 sqm (43,000 sqft) facilities the company has doubled its manufacturing capacity.

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    CFO

    Felix is what you call a global citizen. He grew up on 3 different continents and has called Buenos Aires, Chicago, Brussels as well as Athens his home. Naturally, Felix is also passionate about travelling and especially enjoys all kinds of water sports. For example, you can regularly catch him stand up paddleboarding in the early morning. Prior to joining ENPULSION Felix worked in Business & Strategy Consulting in Austria’s largest Banking Group and thus brings more than 5 years of experience in the Financial and Banking sector to the Management team. Besides, Felix’s future-oriented, clear-sighted approach to planning allows ENPULSION to tackle new challenges well-prepared.

    CEO & Founder

    Alexander Reissner started his career in the space business with RUAG Space, working in Thermal Hardware and later in Mechanical Engineering on projects like Sentinel or Bepi Colombo. He then joined the Austrian Institute of Technology and became the Team Leader for Electric Propulsion Systems. In 2013, he became the head of the Department of Aerospace Engineering shortly after it was moved to FOTEC. After growing this department from 5 to 17 scientists and engineers, he realized the potential of the FEEP technology in the SmallSat market and founded ENPULSION. His education took him from a Dipl.Ing. (MSc) in Physics at the Technical University of Vienna to the Korean Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) in South Korea where he started a PhD program in Aerospace Engineering. He then followed his supervisor to the Technical University of Dresden where he finished his PhD Program. Alexander Reissner was also appointed to be the General Chair of the International Electric Propulsion Conference (IEPC) in 2019, which took place in Vienna.

    CHRO & Co-Founder

    Thomas likes to make sure everything works smoothly, efficiently and he is always ready to solve a problem. He has a master’s degree in political science as well as specialized higher education in international business communications. He is additionally an ISO/IEC certified trainer and safety chancellor. Thomas brings to ENPULSION over ten years of work experience in project and general operations management. He has previously worked at the University of Vienna, the Vienna Chamber of Labor, and most recently at Casinos Austria, a worldwide, leading player in the global gaming industry. When he is not helping ENPULSION to thrive and reach its fullest potential, Thomas enjoys traveling, strolling through his home town Vienna, and grilling the perfect steak on his terrace!

    CTO

    David is a Research Associate at MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) and avid traveller. He received his M.S. in applied physics in 2008, and Ph.D. in mechanical engineering in 2012 from Vienna University of Technology, Austria, and a M.A. in political science in 2012 from University of Vienna. Before joining ENPULSION, he was Research Scientist in the Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics working on the design and characterization of micromachined ionic liquid electrospray thrusters, which include multiple flight experiments. Before joining MIT's Space Propulsion Laboratory, he embarked on trip across the world, writing post-doc grant proposals along the way; secretly it was for beaches and sun. Aside from some teaching, he was previously working on the development of various types of electric and chemical propulsion systems. He worked on chemical green bi-propellant thrusters for small satellites and pulsed plasma thrusters for CubeSats at FOTEC and the Austrian Institute of Technology.

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