Spanish aerospace startup Kreios Space has selected Kongsberg NanoAvionics to provide the satellite bus for its initial mission to Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO), according to Payload Space. The company is developing air-breathing electric propulsion (ABEP) technology intended to sustain satellite operations in the altitude range below standard Low Earth Orbit.
The demonstration mission, currently scheduled for 2028, will deploy a spacecraft at an altitude between approximately 300 and 350 km. Throughout the flight, the craft will drift toward Earth while the team tests the ABEP thruster at varying altitudes to analyze atmospheric conditions within this orbital regime. The mission will also carry up to two undisclosed payloads. Because the mission utilizes the off-the-shelf MP42 microsatellite bus rather than a customized VLEO platform, the duration of the operational flight is expected to last between six and ten months due to high orbital drag.
Mission Specifications and Industry Context
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Target Orbit | 300 to 350 km (initial) |
| Mission Duration | 6 to 10 months |
| Satellite Bus | Kongsberg NanoAvionics MP42 |
| Launch Window | 2028 |
| Primary Tech | Air-breathing electric propulsion (ABEP) |
Kreios CEO Adrián Senar noted that while the MP42 bus is not purpose-built for the harsh VLEO environment, it allows for a faster orbital entry to gather essential performance data. The company intends to utilize results from this demo to develop proprietary, drag-compensated platforms capable of long-term operations at altitudes between 200 and 250 km by 2029.
The sector is seeing significant activity from other competitors. In November, Redwire secured a $44M DARPA contract for VLEO propulsion research targeting altitudes as low as 90 km. Additionally, UK-based NewOrbit raised $18.5M in Series A funding in June to support its own ABEP platform, while Bellatrix Aerospace announced a collaboration with TelePIX in May for a 2028 VLEO flight.
Why It Matters
The shift toward VLEO offers significant advantages for Earth observation and telecommunications, as lower altitudes provide higher resolution imagery and reduced latency for satellite data. However, the high density of residual gases at these heights creates extreme aerodynamic drag, which destroys traditional satellites within weeks. By testing ABEP technology—which uses atmospheric molecules as propellant—firms like Kreios aim to overcome these physical constraints. Achieving stable, long-duration flight in VLEO would represent a foundational change in orbital economics, effectively turning the atmosphere into a refueling resource rather than an impediment to orbital longevity.
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