A major step forward for the UK’s space ambitions is underway as Bletchley-based Pulsar Fusion secures an 18-month European Space Agency contract to accelerate work on its Hall-Effect Thruster. The plasma-based propulsion system, which ionises gas to drive spacecraft, is becoming a key technology for future space missions.
The ESA award, part-funded by the UK Space Agency, brings Pulsar into Europe’s in-orbit mobility supply chain at a time when sovereignty over propulsion capabilities is becoming increasingly important. It also strengthens the UK’s growing influence in Europe’s space propulsion sector.
Momentum Builds Ahead of 2026 Demonstration Flight
Pulsar’s win comes shortly after US company Momentus Inc. confirmed plans for a late-2026 mission that will fly the British firm’s advanced Hall-Effect Thruster. The flight is expected to showcase the system’s performance in orbit and could open the door to broader procurement opportunities with both European and US partners.
Pulsar Fusion chief executive Richard Dinan said, “ESA’s support is an important endorsement of Pulsar Fusion’s growing capabilities in advanced propulsion.” He added that the partnership reflects a joint ambition to deliver cleaner and more efficient technologies for sustainable space operations.
UK Space Sector Eyes Strategic Advantage
Satellite services already underpin 18% of the UK’s GDP, yet a recent House of Lords committee report warned that start-ups face persistent barriers to accessing capital. Against this backdrop, Pulsar’s progress, supported by the UKSA, ESA and NASA, marks a rare instance of a British propulsion developer gaining backing from major space powers.
With the global electric propulsion market forecast to surpass $1.5 billion by 2033, demand for high-performance, low-emission thrusters is expected to grow rapidly. Pulsar Fusion’s technology now stands as one of the UK’s strongest prospects for establishing a sovereign foothold in both European and American in-orbit mobility supply chains.
Published by Kerry Harrison
Kerry’s been writing professionally for over 14 years, after graduating with a First Class Honours Degree in Multimedia Journalism from Canterbury Christ Church University. She joined Orbital Today in 2022. She covers everything from UK launch updates to how the wider space ecosystem is evolving. She enjoys digging into the detail and explaining complex topics in a way that feels straightforward. Before writing about space, Kerry spent years working with cybersecurity companies. She’s written a lot about threat intelligence, data protection, and how cyber and space are increasingly overlapping, whether that’s satellite security or national defence. With a strong background in tech writing, she’s used to making tricky, technical subjects more approachable. That mix of innovation, complexity, and real-world impact is what keeps her interested in the space sector.