Rendering of Maxwell in a transparent smallsat. Photo: Phase Four

Phase Four has reached an agreement with Marubeni Corporation as an exclusive representative of its Maxwell line of satellite engines in Japan. Phase Four also said in a Monday announcement that it will partner with Marubeni in strategic markets around the world to address the needs of next generation satellites. 

The Maxwell engines combine a complete propellant management system and Phase Four’s proprietary Radio Frequency (RF) plasma thruster into a compact form factor. Phase Four says its cost-effective, reliable in-space propulsion opens up new mission possibilities with its inherent lower cost architecture and propellant agnosticism.

CEO Beau Jarvis said 2020 will be a “pivotal” year for Phase Four. The company has delivered the first flight units of the Maxwell engine this year, with additional deliveries to come, and is focusing on its next-generation engines, which Jarvis said will run on inexpensive, high-performance fuels, enable Very Low-Earth Orbit (VLEO) missions.” 

“Phase Four’s revolutionary RF plasma engines will unlock new space missions in support of commercial and government applications, including remote sensing, maritime tracking, high speed communications, space exploration and Internet-for-all,” said Tomomichi Inomoto, general manager of the Defense and Space Section for Marubeni.