Revolution Space

Revolution Space, formerly known as Accion Systems, is a Boston-based company specializing in the development of advanced in-space propulsion technologies for the satellite industry. The firm was established in 2014 by MIT engineers Dr. Natalya Bailey and Louis Perna. Their journey began at MIT's Space Propulsion Laboratory, where they co-invented a novel ion engine technology. This academic research directly formed the foundation of the company, driven by Bailey's lifelong passion for space exploration.

The company's core business revolves around designing and manufacturing electric propulsion systems that enhance the maneuverability and lifespan of satellites. These systems are crucial for a range of in-orbit functions, including attitude control, collision avoidance, orbit raising, and sustainable deorbiting. Revolution Space serves the commercial and government sectors, with clients including the Department of the Air Force and NASA, often through Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contracts. Revenue is generated through the sale of these proprietary propulsion systems.

The flagship product is the Tiled Ionic Liquid Electrospray (TILE) propulsion system. This technology uses a safe, non-toxic, and unpressurized liquid salt as a propellant, a significant departure from traditional systems that use volatile gases. The architecture is built around thruster "chips," each about the size of a postage stamp, which are modular and scalable. This allows the system to be configured for satellites of all sizes, from small CubeSats to larger spacecraft, offering a compact, low-power, and cost-effective solution compared to conventional electric propulsion. A key benefit is that the compact design frees up valuable satellite volume and power for revenue-generating payloads.

In July 2021, the company secured $42 million in a Series C funding round, which led to Tracker Capital Management acquiring a majority stake. This investment brought the company's valuation to $83.5 million and was intended to accelerate the development of the next-generation TILE system and scale up manufacturing capabilities.

Keywords: in-space propulsion, electric propulsion, satellite systems, electrospray thrusters, small satellites, CubeSats, aerospace, space technology, ion engine, deep tech