Supertorquer Magnetic Drive Cleared for Flight
Zenno Astronautics has wrapped up pre-launch preparations for its Supertorquer magnetic drive, now installed aboard Portal Space Systems' Starburst-1 spacecraft. The unit is billed as the first-ever satellite orientation control system to rely on superconducting electromagnets instead of chemical propellants. Capable of generating a magnetic dipole as powerful as 3,500 A·m², it can push against Earth's magnetic field to steer satellites operating in medium and geostationary orbits.
Collaboration and Upcoming Missions
The Zenno–Portal partnership was first revealed in November 2025. Starburst-1 marks Portal Space Systems' first free-flying mission carrying an operational payload. Before the main year-long operational phase begins, engineers plan to test subsystems shared with the larger Supernova spacecraft, including the reaction control thrusters. Once in orbit, the Supertorquer will also host a particle counter designed to validate radiation shielding.
Flying the world's most powerful magnetic drive on a highly agile spacecraft broadens the kinds of missions we can offer to defense and commercial clients.
Jeff Thornburg
This underscores the technology's relevance to modern space operations, particularly for rendezvous and close-proximity work, rapid task reassignment, and orbital changes by both military and commercial operators. A successful debut for Supertorquer could mark a significant leap in spacecraft control, enabling cost savings and greater efficiency for future science and business missions. Propellant-free systems like this may well set a new benchmark for the space industry.
The successful deployment of the Supertorquer system highlights a significant evolution in satellite maneuverability. This innovation comes at a time when spacecraft are increasingly required to adapt quickly to changing mission parameters. For instance, the recent detachment of the MEV spacecraft from the Optus satellite demonstrates the growing need for efficient orbital operations, which the Supertorquer aims to address with its advanced capabilities.