Bellatrix Aerospace and TelePIX are collaborating to develop an air-breathing very low Earth orbit imaging satellite demonstration mission [1].
This partnership aims to overcome the atmospheric drag that typically limits the lifespan of satellites orbiting close to Earth. By successfully demonstrating air-breathing propulsion, the companies could enable high-resolution geospatial imaging that is more precise than current orbital capabilities.
Bellatrix Aerospace, an Indian propulsion specialist, will provide the propulsion technology required to maintain the spacecraft's altitude [1]. TelePIX, a South Korean developer of optical payloads and AI solutions, will integrate the imaging systems [2]. The joint effort focuses on the challenges of very low Earth orbit, or VLEO, where the thin atmosphere creates significant friction for orbiting bodies [3].
Traditional satellites must carry large amounts of propellant to counteract this drag, which limits their operational life. The air-breathing technology seeks to collect molecules from the surrounding atmosphere and use them as propellant, a method that could potentially extend mission durations indefinitely [3].
The companies have scheduled the demonstration mission for 2028 [1]. This timeline allows for the integration of the propulsion system with the high-resolution optical payload to ensure stability during imaging operations [3].
If successful, the mission will prove that spacecraft can operate sustainably in VLEO without relying solely on stored fuel [2]. This would lower the cost of high-resolution Earth observation, and provide more frequent revisit times for geospatial data collection [1].
“The joint effort focuses on the challenges of very low Earth orbit, or VLEO.”
The shift toward VLEO represents a strategic move to increase imaging resolution by reducing the distance between the sensor and the target. By utilizing air-breathing propulsion, Bellatrix and TelePIX are attempting to solve the primary barrier to this orbit: orbital decay. Success in 2028 would signal a transition from fuel-limited missions to sustainable, long-term atmospheric-breathing platforms.
