in physics from Harvard and would then go to work at Elon Musk’s SpaceX for a couple years. He was an electromagnetic interference (EMI) and survivability engineer.įlanagan got the idea for his startup when he read that NASA was evaluating microwave propulsion systems that required zero fuel. Seeing an interesting opportunity, he launched Prime Lightworks in 2015. While there have been remarkable advances in propulsion systems, there are still a myriad of problems and challenges. For example, when it comes to launching satellites, the fuel can cost a hefty $50,000 per kilogram. But of course, there are then the enormous amounts of waste emissions. 7 Internet Of Things Stocks To Buy For 2021 And Beyond.This leads to space debris, which can pose dangers to existing satellites. Then what will Prime Lightworks do? Well, it will leverage a solar-powered radio amplifier and microwave cavity as an alternative. This is a thruster that is based on the momentum density of the electromagnetic field.įor the most part, it’s about creating large amounts of electromagnetic radiation pressure that creates tremendous power. No doubt, all this requires complex mathematics and innovative materials (the technology is currently patent pending). After all, this is why Prime Lightworks is still working on its proof-of-concept.Īssuming the company can create a commercially viable system, it would definitely be a game changer. There simply may no longer be need for spacecraft fuel (the cost savings could be as much as 50%). There would also be longer lifespans for space vehicles, higher reliability and larger vehicle sizes. The initial target market for Prime Lightworks is satellite propulsion. What’s more, according to The Space Report, the spending on infrastructure and support industries for space rose by 16.1% to $119.17 billion last year. There was also a 48% increase in global commercial spacecraft missions to 251.īut given that the company’s technology is potentially disruptive, it could prove useful in other space markets. Thus, there is substantial opportunity for Prime Lightworks stock to rise in value in the coming years. “If the technology is real and they can build a fully electric propulsion system, the potential is enormous,” said George Iakovou, founder and CEO of Vika Ventures and has invested in companies like SpaceX, Palantir Technologies (NYSE: PLTR) and Snowflake (NYSE: SNOW). “Due to the fact that every month hundreds of new satellites are being put into orbit which all create space waste, this can start to cause issues if not correctly addressed,” he said.
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