A Space Drone spacecraft by UK-based Effective Space. Photo Credit: Effective Space

Effective Space, a U.K.-headquartered company providing last-mile logistics in space, has announced a strategic partnership with ArianeGroup for the provision of electric propulsion systems for its Space Drone spacecraft. The alliance will see ArianeGroup’s Arclight Radio Frequency Ion Thruster technology deployed to propel Space Drone spacecraft to geostationary orbit, and to provide complete station keeping and attitude control services.The Arclight electric propulsion system helps limit the weight of the Space Drone spacecraft to approximately 400kg, a significant factor in minimizing launch costs and maximizing mission life span, according to the company.

Four Arclight thrusters will allow each Space Drone spacecraft to achieve in-orbit servicing to extend the life of a variety geostationary satellites and to be redeployed on demand, according to requirements. The agreement with ArianeGroup Orbital Propulsion follows Effective Space’s recent announcements of a $100 million multi-year contract win with a major international satellite operator and the company’s launch partner, International Launch Services (ILS). Effective Space is currently preparing for its first contracted launch of two Space Drone spacecraft in 2020.