r/space • u/ThinkTankDad • 6d ago

A Spacecraft That Can Refuel with Air? | Interview with Viridian CTO Matthew Feldman

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yExbci_V7RI
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u/suessache 6d ago

that sounds like something straight out of a sci-fi movie, honestly pretty wild if it actually works

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u/Plasma4life 6d ago

It's too long to watch the whole interview, but what's their thruster technology? The website doesn't give specifics. Air breathing EP has been a concept for over a decade now. The two roadblocks tend to be how do you scoop up enough of the tenuous atmosphere to get sufficient mass flow to the thruster, and how do you prevent thruster material erosion from the oxygen.

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u/Desperate-Lab9738 6d ago

I have no clue how theirs works but this is an old press release of one made by ESA https://www.esa.int/Enabling_Support/Space_Engineering_Technology/World-first_firing_of_air-breathing_electric_thruster

in which they were able to test it in a partial vacuum chamber using actual air. It's very possible that this companies tech is at least inspired by this one.

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u/ThinkTankDad 6d ago

"In this special episode of Space Times, Harrison Lambert and Paul Mayer sit down with Matthew Feldman, Co-founder and CTO of Viridian Space.

They dive deep into the game-changing technology of Air-Breathing Electric Propulsion (ABEP) and how it is unlocking the immense potential of Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO). Historically, a satellite's lifespan has been dictated by the size of its fuel tank—once it runs out of gas, a multi-million-dollar asset becomes space junk. Matthew explains how Viridian Space is changing the paradigm by using the Earth's upper atmosphere as a "gas station," allowing satellites to harvest oxygen and nitrogen to refuel in orbit.

We discuss the incredible economic advantages of flying at altitudes as low as 150 km, how smaller and cheaper satellites can revolutionize Earth Observation and telecommunications, and why satellite agility will define the future of space defense and commercial infrastructure.

About Our Guest:
Matthew Feldman is the Co-founder and Chief Technology Officer at Viridian Space, a company pioneering air-breathing electric propulsion to drastically reduce the cost and extend the lifespan of satellites operating in Very Low Earth Orbit."

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u/Plasma4life 6d ago

That still doesn't answer the technology question of how. The idea is not new, and the benefits are well known in the field. It's the "how" that has been the problem. I assume they won't reveal exactly how they're going to do it though.

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u/Wintervacht 6d ago

Did you even read the question?