Phase Four Accelerates Commercialization of Satellite Propulsion with Introduction of Maxwell

Ushering in Maxwell: A new era thruster aimed squarely at performance and manufacturability - meeting the accelerating demands within the SmallSat market

Commercial Leadership Team Announced ahead of Maxwell Launch anticipated in 2019

News provided by

Phase Four

Nov 08, 2018, 07:00 ET

EL SEGUNDO, Calif., Nov. 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Today Phase Four, a best in class provider of electric radio frequency (RF) thrusters for in-space propulsion, announced the introduction of Maxwell, Phase Four's flexible propulsion solution targeted at small satellites. Developed as a mass-produced, powerful and sustainable propulsion system for emerging small satellite constellations, Maxwell powers a new era of in-space business opportunity, infrastructure deployment, and expansion.

Designed for scale manufacturing, Maxwell brings the performance and efficiency of traditional and expensive electric engines to new small satellite constellations. Maxwell's unique technology does not require high voltage components and electrodes - primary aspects of traditional satellite engines that are barriers to high volume manufacturing. The product architecture behind Maxwell was created to cater to the specific needs of SmallSats in a range of sizes and power classes, commercializing and accelerating the development of the SmallSat-based industry.

With efficiency and scalability at the forefront, Maxwell's design also allows for future spacecraft to use newer, less expensive propellants that may be sourced in space, further contributing to first-in-market differentiators and sustainable in-space industry. Maxwell is anticipated to be delivered to initial customers beginning in Q3 2019. Prior to launch, Maxwell will undergo rigorous testing and performance evaluations at multiple aerospace facilities.

As Phase Four moves into this commercially-focused stage – bringing its mass-produced plasma engines to commercial satellite builders and operators – the company has named Beau Jarvis as CEO. Phase Four founder, Simon Halpern remains on the board of directors and an active advisor to the company on its strategy for commercialization.

"Beau is the right person to lead the company as it moves into this high growth commercialization period," said Simon Halpern, Phase Four Advisor and Founder. "I am proud of what we have created and accomplished since founding Phase Four in 2015, and I look forward to seeing this next product-focused era of the company."

2019 will be a significant year for Phase Four as it begins deliveries to early Maxwell customers. To scale up operations and bring Maxwell to market, the company has also added Laura Overly, formerly of Millennium Space Systems to the team. Overly brings over a decade of aerospace supply chain experience and analytical capabilities to Phase Four. Phase Four's leadership team also includes VP of Engineering Mike Kwapisz, VP of Operations Jason Wallace and Chief Scientist, Umair Siddiqui.

"We have re-envisioned the Small Satellite thruster archetype in order to create an electric propulsion system that is as powerful as it is efficient and fully scalable. This means a swifter and broader focus on products, setting the framework for the rapidly evolving Space Economy – one focused on products and profit," said Beau Jarvis, Phase Four CEO. "We believe that Maxwell will support our customers as they seek to launch missions in an economical and efficient manner within Low Earth Orbit, from bespoke constellations to the emerging mega constellations and beyond."

About Phase Four
Based in El Segundo, California, Phase Four is enabling the exponential growth of satellite constellations by solving the satellite's costliest problem, the propulsion system. The company's electrodeless RF thruster is one of the smallest plasma propulsion systems available today, and can be scaled for use from CubeSat-class to SmallSat-class to traditional, large satellites. By eliminating the most common failure points in incumbent technologies - electrodes, high-voltage electronics, and complex fabrication - Phase Four has built a system that is reliable and offers high-performance with baked-in manufacturability. Designed with tomorrow's satellites and constellations in mind, the Phase Four plasma thruster provides small satellites performance levels on par with traditional large satellites propulsion systems. Phase Four is proof that high performance can come in small packages. Visit us at: www.phasefour.io.

SOURCE Phase Four