2–3×
Longer mission life
Retire a spacecraft because its hardware is ready—not because its propellant is gone.
ASTRUM DRIVE System visualization, 3D rendering
ASTRUM DRIVE $5M SEED ROUND · 2026
Thrust from electricity.Beyond propellant.
A new propulsion architecture designed to eliminate propellant dependency in space. Powered by electricity.
Built to last.
Six years of development. Real prototypes. The next test: vacuum.
01 / Intended outputContinuous thrust
Without expelling propellant mass.
02 / MechanismFluid phase transitions
An electrically driven internal cycle.
03 / InputElectricity
Designed for spacecraft power systems.
50 mN / 300 WThird party validates thrust
167 mN/kWReported thrust-to-power ratio
100+Measurements across multiple configurations
TRL 6COMPANY-STATEDVacuum and orbital validation ahead
An expanding foundation
of science and industry
UAH · TU SofiaIndependent prototype testing
NASA GoddardPresentation & product demo
NSF SBIRPhase 1 co-grantee
EnduroSat · KMILOIs & integration relationships
01 / Opportunity
Electricity in.Thrust out.Your satellite stays in orbit.
For seventy years, every maneuver in orbit has spent something a spacecraft can never get back. Propellant sets the lifetime of satellites, the mass of launches, and the ceiling on what missions are possible.
Our propulsion system removes this limitation.
Watch the introduction video on YouTube
and prototype developmentView concept film
~40%
Lower launch cost
Free launch mass for useful payload rather than a finite propellant reserve.
~50%
Lower annual operating cost
Build toward longer-lived missions with fewer constraints.
01
Dynamic maneuvering
Allow satellites to change their orbits as mission needs evolve and serve several missions over its lifetime.
02
A new mobility platform
Build toward station-keeping, spacecraft servicing and longer-duration missions.
03
A modular path to space
Build toward retrofit applications and stackable configurations, using spacecraft electrical power.
Mission-life and cost figures are projections from the 2026 seed presentation (p. 9), not demonstrated customer outcomes. Realized benefits depend on validation, qualification, integration and the mission.
02 / Product
Electricity in.
Thrust out.
No mass left behind.
A materially closed propulsion architecture.
Astrum’s approach uses electrically driven fluid phase-transition dynamics, rather than a consumable propellant expelled from the spacecraft. The working process remains inside the system, the only waste product is heat which gets dissipated in space.
01 / HEATLiquid
02 / TRANSITIONGas
03 / CONDENSELiquid again
- Electricity-powered. Designed to use spacecraft electrical power, including power from solar panels.
- No expendable propellant. The architecture is designed to operate without leaving mass behind.
- A modular path to space. Retrofit satellites nearing the end of their operational life, or stack multiple units for higher thrust.
See the architecture in motion System visualization
The product render and film show the architecture, not flight footage. Operating concept.
It started with a refrigerator.
Then came six years of engineering.
Revisiting the Einstein–Szilárd refrigeration framework, U.S. Patent 1,781,541, led to an unexpected experimental observation.
01Observe
While revisiting the Einstein–Szilárd refrigeration concept, we detected directional force signals during fluid phase changes.
02Investigate
We studied whether those small forces could be sustained and used to maneuver a satellite in orbit.
03Build & repeat
We developed multiple prototype designs and ran hundreds of test cycles to measure and refine the effect.
04Prepare for space
We are adapting the prototype for vacuum testing, then plan to scale and integrate it for an orbital demonstration.
03 / Evidence: The Experimental Record
Built. Tested.
Measured.
Three configurations. Hundreds of tests. Different measurement methods - stable signal of ~50 mN. Vertical, Horizontal tests and a battery-powered free-fall drop tests.
Vertical testingPlay recording
Direct vertical force
Our most mature benchmark is a direct force reading in the vertical configuration, cross-checked by a partner university laboratory using its own instrumentation.
The reference point for technical diligence.
Horizontal testingPlay recording
Calibrated displacement
A supporting horizontal result, inferred by converting measured displacement to force through a calibrated linkage. This is distinct from the direct vertical measurement.
Different method. Additional evidence.
Free-fall testingPlay recording
Free-fall configuration
Observed behavior without a normal bench contact or external power cable adds another configuration to the experimental record and the control program.
Another test geometry. The same result.
Complete experiment documentation & original figuresExpand the supporting record
Inside the experimental record
Three configurations.
Methods, measurements and results.
The descriptions below reproduce the objectives, hypotheses, setups, procedures, results and conclusions published on Astrum Drive’s original website. The conclusions remain the company’s stated interpretations. The direct-force reference, inferred horizontal force and free-fall observations are distinct results; vacuum and orbital validation remain the next stages.
EXPERIMENT 01 / DIRECT VERTICAL MEASUREMENT
Laboratory-verified propulsion demonstration
Objective
Verify that the Astrum Drive generates measurable thrust in a sealed, vibration-isolated laboratory environment using only electrical power.
Hypothesis
If the drive operates as predicted, activating it will create a measurable increase in apparent weight (downward thrust) that exceeds the background noise of the measuring instrument.
Experimental setup
- Environment: Certified, vibration-isolated lab with no airflow.
- Measurement device: Ultra-sensitive precision scale (millinewton resolution).
- Mounting configuration: The system rests on a single metal ball bearing to eliminate mechanical bias. The top is tethered to remove lateral motion and isolate vertical force.
- Baseline: Scale is calibrated to zero before power-on.
Procedure
- Power applied at 0:01.
- System reaches full power at 6:09.
- Partial power-off at 6:56.
- Complete shutdown at 9:59, after thermal energy dissipates.
- Scale returns to exact baseline zero after the system is shut down, confirming no mass loss or gain occurred during the operational phase.
Results
- Continuous thrust: ~12 mN at full power.
- Signal-to-noise ratio: >1000×.
- Thrust appears almost immediately, indicating the effect is not thermal expansion.
- Small fluctuations caused by micro-turbulence in internal phase transitions.
- The system returns to zero after cooling → confirms no mechanical drift.
Conclusion
- The experiment demonstrates a repeatable, measurable, propellantless thrust in a controlled environment.
- The company assesses the system at TRL 6, with vacuum validation and an orbital demonstration as the next stages.
Original figures & supporting record
Open any figure for a larger view
Enlarge figure
Enlarge figureDocumentation: Astrum Drive’s original experiment page
EXPERIMENT 02 / CALIBRATED DISPLACEMENT
Horizontal propulsion testing
Objective
Verify the physical process representation of the phase-change reactionless drive using a macroscopic horizontal demonstrator.
Hypothesis
If the system operates as designed, it will generate a directed force resulting in measurable horizontal displacement that returns to equilibrium upon shutdown. This test is very important as it will show that the system doesn’t need gravity to operate.
Experimental setup
- Environment: Isolated room with a vibration-isolated floor to exclude external noise.
- Measurement device: Electronic microscope with measurement grid and computer tracking (template recognition).
- Mounting configuration: Parallelogram mechanism supported by tripods for stability and minimal elastic deformation.
- Custom mounting assembly secures the gas generator and diffuser to the glass tube.
- Balance: Drain cap connected to a condensation container to maintain weight balance.
Procedure
- Short duration: 13-minute cycles (heater on first half, off second half).
- Long duration: 40-minute cycles (25 min heating, 15 min cooling) to reach steady state.
- Thermal monitoring: Recorded via thermal vision camera to verify gas distribution and seal integrity.
Results
- Continuous thrust: ~50 mN (calculated unidirectional force).
- Displacement: Steady-state deviation of 150–200 µm.
- System returns to initial position after shutdown (the red vertical line on the charts), confirming effect is not mechanical drift.
- Thermal analysis confirms no gas leakage influenced the motion.
Conclusion
- The experiment demonstrates a reactionless process with a calculated unidirectional force of ~50 mN in a horizontal configuration.
- The system reaches a steady-state deviation while active and returns to zero after the shutdown, distinguishing the force from interference.
- The system doesn’t need gravity to operate.
Original figures & supporting record
Open any figure for a larger view
Enlarge figure
Enlarge figure
Enlarge figure
Enlarge figureDocumentation: Astrum Drive’s original experiment page
EXPERIMENT 03 / ON / OFF COMPARISONS
Free-fall & neutral-buoyancy tests
Objective
Visually demonstrate the generation of thrust in a partial free-fall environment without reliance on precision laboratory instrumentation.
Hypothesis
If the drive generates downward force, the system will accelerate faster than gravity alone at its near-neutral buoyancy state. Consequently, drop times when the system is active will be consistently shorter than when the system is inactive (control).
Experimental setup
- Configuration: System tethered to helium balloons to counteract gravitational mass.
- Net weight: Adjusted to near-neutral buoyancy (reducing effective system weight to only a few grams).
- Drop height: Fixed distance of 50 cm.
- Test condition: Partial free-fall/low-gravity simulation.
Procedure
- Calibration: Balloons are adjusted to achieve near-neutral buoyancy.
- Control group: Perform drop tests with the System OFF.
- Active group: Activate the drive and perform drop tests (three trials) with the System ON.
- Measurement: Record and compare the time required for the system to travel a fixed vertical distance of 50 cm.
Results
- Time differential: Drop times are consistently shorter when the system is active compared to the control drops.
- Force indication: The accelerated fall confirms the generation of an additional downward force vector.
- Consistency: Thrust output remains constant throughout the active trials.
- Variables: Minor timing variations noted due to slight fluctuations in balloon lift and manual release height.
Conclusion
These tests visually validate the findings of the laboratory experiments. The consistent reduction in drop time confirms that the device generates thrust in partial free-fall conditions, effectively simulating operation in a microgravity environment.
Original figures & supporting record
Open any figure for a larger view
Enlarge figureThe original website reports qualitative drop-time comparisons for this configuration; it does not publish a separate numerical free-fall chart. The supplied presentation figure is retained here alongside the original description.
Documentation: Astrum Drive’s original experiment page
Separate presentation benchmark
The original operating point, retained.
The supplied presentation also reports 50 mN at 300 W, or 167 mN/kW. It remains separate from the 10–12 mN direct vertical-force reference and the partner-university baseline-corrected peak of approximately 11.7 mN.
Company-reported laboratory benchmark
50 mNat300 W
167 mN/kWThrust-to-power ratio
Not yet power-optimized
Not yet power-optimized
The presentation compares this with 40–80 mN/kW for Hall-effect thrusters. This is a reported laboratory comparison, not a flight-qualified system specification.
Independent prototype testing
TU Sofia, Prof. Georgi Todorov. Official test reports are available in the data room under NDA.
Controlled experimental environment
Certified vibration-isolated room and Faraday-cage testing.
Modeling & scientific work
Ansys Fluent CFD validation and Q1 peer-reviewed publications.
Astrum Drive has achieved consistent results across all experiments, including direct and indirect measurements in different test configurations. Our measured thrust signals are thousands of times stronger than the background noise, showing a clearly distinguishable and repeatable experimental response. This consistency strengthens confidence in the observed thrust and supports the next phase of development: validating performance in vacuum conditions and progressing toward an orbital demonstration.
~50 mN
Partner-university force measurement
A partner university measured a vertical result consistent with Astrum’s direct readings using its own instrumentation. This is a measurement cross-check; broader external replication remains part of the validation program.
04 / Market: Satellite Propulsion
A new mobility platform
for the space economy.
Start with satellite propulsion. Expand into services that depend on the freedom to keep moving: life extension, orbital logistics, debris removal and defense mobility.
First market · Satellite operators & manufacturersMore useful years.
More useful years.
More freedom in orbit.
Our initial focus is propulsion modules for satellite operators and spacecraft manufacturers: station-keeping, orbit changes and longer service life without an expendable propellant reserve.
Astrum’s electrically powered, materially closed architecture is designed for persistent maneuverability. That creates a route from hardware sales to recurring orbital services and licensing, following successful validation and mission integration.
Discuss a satellite application
Keep valuable assets working
Satellite life extension
Propulsion modules and future rescue tugs equiped with Astrum Drive could provide maneuverability to satellites whose payloads still have useful life.
Build recurring orbital services
Debris removal & logistics
Longer-lived tugs could service multiple objects and support transport, servicing and debris operations without repeated propellant depletion.
Support dynamic operations
Defense mobility
Persistent maneuverability could support more frequent repositioning, resilient missions and national-security applications.
Company-published market outlook
A growing commercial opportunity.
8.7%Revenue CAGR shown in the
2021–2031 investor-page forecast
View the original forecast 2021–2031 investor-page forecast
Addressable markets & strategic applications
One architecture. Multiple directions.
Company-supplied estimates · USD
Swipe or scroll horizontally to explore the full market table
| Application | Estimated market value | Time horizon | Key players / indicators |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01Satellite propulsion solutions | ~$115B (2023) → ~$200B (2030)Satellite propulsion / total on-orbit servicing, as labeled in the supplied table. | 2025–2030 | Northrop Grumman (MEV/MEP), Intelsat, SES; SpaceLogistics; 500+ GEO satellites active. |
| 02Retrofits · propulsion modules | Multi-$B by 2030Subset of the servicing market; analyst projection in the supplied table. | 2025–2030 | Northrop SpaceLogistics (Mission Extension Pods); Intelsat and Optus retrofit programs. |
| 03Insurance risk reduction | ~$0.7B → ~$0.9–1.0B2024 to 2030 total premiums; mitigation services growing. | 2025–2030 | Munich Re, AXA XL; ~$0.9B in 2023 claims cited as a demand driver. |
| 04Deep-space exploration & tourism | ~$10–15B / yearNASA and agency budgets; space tourism estimated at ~$10B by 2030. | 2025–2035 | NASA Artemis, Moon/Mars programs; SpaceX, Blue Origin and Virgin Galactic. |
| 05Asteroid mining / off-Earth resources | ~$1.9B → ~$5–9B2024 to approximately 2030. | 2025–2035 | ispace, Planetary Resources; NASA/ESA mining technology initiatives. |
| 06Defense · stealth propulsion & ISR | ~$30B → ~$50BMilitary satcom, 2023 to 2032; propulsion technology is a ~$1–5B segment in the supplied table. | 2025–2035 | US Space Force, DARPA; Lockheed Martin and Boeing; naval propulsion R&D. |
| 07Emerging · HAPS, UUV & marine | Three adjacent sectorsHAPS ~$1.5B → ~$2.7B by 2030; UUV ~$4.8B → ~$11B; marine hybrid ~$4B → $10B+. | 2025–2030 | Airbus Zephyr, Alphabet; naval research labs; marine hybrid propulsion vendors. |
These are company-supplied estimates across overlapping sectors, with different base years and definitions—not additive TAM, contracted revenue or confirmed customers. * HAPS: high-altitude platform systems · * UUV: unmanned underwater vehicles · * ISR: intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance.
Market sources & scope
The seven market rows reproduce the estimates, time horizons and industry indicators supplied in the latest website feedback; named organizations are market examples, not a list of Astrum customers or partners.
Near-term commercial focus: satellite propulsion. The other applications are prospective markets; each depends on validation, product qualification and application-specific engineering.
Market / Traction & commercial pathway
The ecosystem is already paying attention.
Our relationships across satellite systems, research, and defense provide a strong foundation for technology integration, technical evaluation, and engagement with future customers.
$500KRaised to date
95% founder-owned
95% founder-owned
100+Successful experiments and third-party validation
at the current stage
at the current stage
Historical company figures, not a forecast of post-raise spending.
EnduroSat. KMI. SpaceDock. Space Ocean.
Signed LOIs with these organizations and more establish a strong foundation for commercial development and research collaboration.
LOIs indicate interest and a pathway to further agreements; they are not presented as booked revenue.TU Sofia, UAH, Baylor & NASA Goddard
Independent prototype testing, ongoing university collaboration, and a NASA Goddard presentation with follow-up engagement.
Each relationship has its own scope. A presentation or collaboration is not a product certification.Orbital agility & resilience
We are engaging with the U.S. Air Force, Space Force, and NATO to explore opportunities for Astrum’s propulsion to enhance orbital maneuverability, satellite survivability, and stealth capabilities.
Engagements and supporting documentation are available for appropriate diligence.First / Integrate
Spacecraft propulsion modules
Engage spacecraft manufacturers and satellite operators to develop propulsion modules that enable longer mission life and greater orbital flexibility.
Next / Demonstrate
Convert interest into paid pilots
Target paid pilots with a credible satellite company such as EnduroSat (LOI signed) and a defense customer to evaluate integration, demonstrate mission value, and build a foundation for commercial orders.
Then / Expand
Deploy, retrofit & license
Following orbital validation, expand into commercial sales, compatible retrofit missions, and licensing to bring Astrum’s propulsion to more spacecraft platforms.
Our commercial roadmap targets procurement within 12–24 months after the demonstration and flight integration within 6–18 months of contract signing, providing a clear framework for customer adoption.
Market / Propulsion Comparison
Propulsion, compared.
A side-by-side view of propulsion type, propellant, thrust and thrust-to-power ratio.
Swipe horizontally to compare all five columns.
| System | Type | Propellant | Thrust | EfficiencyThrust-to-power ratio |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Astrum Drive*Ground-test result | Propellantless electric | None | ~50 mN @ 300 W | ~167 mN/kW |
| Hall-effect (typical) | Electric | Xenon / Krypton | 13–103 mN @ 0.2–1.8 kW | ~57–65 mN/kW |
| Gridded ion (typical) | Electric | Xenon / Iodine | 0.8–12 mN @ 55–500 W | ~15–60 mN/kW |
| FEEP (typical) | Electric | Indium | ≤0.35 mN @ ≤40 W | ≤9 mN/kW |
*Astrum figures are ground-test measurements pending vacuum validation; comparison systems are flight-proven.
Astrum’s ~50 mN / 300 W operating point and ~167 mN/kW ratio are separate from the 10–12 mN direct vertical-force reference in the experimental record above.
No expendable propellant.
Astrum’s propulsion system is designed to generate thrust without consuming propellant, extending a satellite’s operational life beyond the limits imposed by onboard propellant reserves.
The long-horizon vision
Sustained, propellant-free acceleration builds speed over time, opening the path to solar-system journeys measured in months rather than years.
05 / Investment
One round.
From validation to orbit.
A $5M seed round to advance the full development program: prototype upgrades, independent vacuum validation and an orbital demonstration, supported by the team, IP and commercial groundwork.
2026 seed round
$5M
current raise · $5,000,000 total
Independent vacuum validation.
An orbital demonstration.
What this capital advances
A publishable independent test report
Controlled vacuum measurements at a qualified external facility.
A prototype ready for flight integration
Hardware and geometry developed and optimized toward spacecraft integration.
An orbital demonstration
A dedicated $1.5M allocation for in-orbit testing, following successful vacuum validation and flight-readiness preparation.
A stronger commercial foundation
Patent protection, the technical team and a qualified customer and mission-partner pipeline.
Planned use of funds
Total100%$5,000,000
One round. All amounts in USD.
Select a category to review its allocation. The full $5,000,000 plan includes $1,500,000 for the orbital demonstration.
Independent test report
Target ESA EPL or a tier-1 equivalent for vacuum testing and a publishable independent report.
Strengthen the patent portfolio
Extend the granted patent internationally and progress the three pending applications.
Prepare for flight integration
Optimize prototype geometry, prepare spacecraft integration and advance the hardware toward the funded orbital-demonstration phase.
Advance the commercial pathway
Structure government and defense access alongside the existing LOI pipeline.
The $5,000,000 financing plan allocates capital across seven workstreams, including $1,000,000 for vacuum testing and $1,500,000 for an orbital demonstration. Each technical stage builds on the results of the previous one. These are planned allocations, not statements of funds already received or completed validation.
06 / Roadmap: The Path to Orbit
From an observation
to an orbital demonstration.
Each stage builds on the previous one: independent vacuum data, integration readiness, an orbital test, then commercial deployment.
2020–25
Foundation builtDiscover. Build. Test.
Laboratory demonstration, prototype iterations, field tests, patent activity, NASA Goddard presentation and signed LOIs.
2026
Current seed raiseFund the $5M program
Raise $5M for prototype development, vacuum validation and an orbital demonstration, plus the team, IP and commercial support.
2027
PlannedValidate & prepare
Vacuum chamber testing, flight-hardware development, mission integration and launch-readiness work.
2028
Target · Backup 2029Demonstrate in orbit
Target an orbital demonstration following successful validation and integration, supported by the $1.5M allocation within this round.
2029
Commercial targetDeploy & scale
First commercial deployments and production scaling, contingent on demonstration results.
The planned flight pathway
Next major milestone: in-orbit validationVoyager ROM estimate received for device testing aboard the ISS: 2028 · Backup window: 2029
Our roadmap sets clear target dates and milestones for in-orbit validation, aligning technical progress, financing, partner coordination, and mission integration. Voyager’s ROM estimate provides a concrete foundation for planning device testing aboard the ISS.
07 / Team
The right team for
this specific problem.
Physics and prototyping. Company building and finance. Aerospace relationships and government access.
Business
Dr. Eng. Ivaylo Vasilev, MBA
Founder & CEO20+ years leading technology and innovation programs for Fortune 500 companies. Serial entrepreneur with one exit.
Prof. Larry Louie, MBA
Chief Financial Officer20+ years in finance, accounting and entrepreneurship. CFO experience with startups and growth companies.
Cesare D’Ambrosi
Business Developement & Corporate Growth8+ years in venture capital and startup acceleration, advising founders on growth, fundraising and strategy.
Jeremie Sala
Board Advisor · Investor RelationsJeremie helps strengthen Astrum’s investor relationships, connecting the company’s development priorities with clear, constructive conversations about its financing and growth.
Technology & engineering
Prof. Dr. (×2) Nelson Bolivar
Co-Founder & CTO20+ years in quantum materials, thermodynamics and fluid dynamics. Developed Astrum’s mechanism from the Einstein–Szilárd framework.
Prof. Dr. Gabriel Abellan Poleo
Advanced ResearchTheoretical physicist specializing in general relativity, spacetime modeling and advanced field theory.
Prof. Dr. Eng. Georgi Todorov
Board Member & Engineering AdvisorLong-serving dean at the Technical University of Sofia, with expertise in advanced engineering and prototyping.
Anton Nikolov
Chief EngineerAnton turns Astrum’s engineering designs into working hardware. He leads prototype assembly, bringing practical build expertise and careful attention to the details that support repeatable testing and continued development.
Strategy & access
Sr. Airman Jack R. Smith, USAF
Board Member & Veteran and Serial EntrepreneurThree-time Inc. 5000 founder and CEO, VP of Chapter Operations at the Space Force Association, with deep relationships across the defense and space.
Commander Jackie Space, USAF
Board Member & Government ProgramsAerospace and military-program experience supporting government access, including Space Force and NATO discussions.
Prof. Dr. Olaf J. Groth
Board Member & Strategic AdvisorGlobal partnerships, geopolitics and commercialization strategy.
Matt Iannelli
Board Member · Defense StrategyWith decades supporting U.S. and coalition forces, Matt brings an operational perspective to Astrum’s defense strategy, helping navigate military contracting opportunities and align its propulsion capabilities with mission needs.
Our team brings together expertise in physics, engineering, and business leadership to advance Astrum Drive from experimental validation to commercial deployment.
08 / News: Company Milestones
Company milestones.
Meeting with Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick on Texas space innovation
Sharing our vision for fuel-free propulsion — and Texas' role in the future space economy.
Read the company updateWelcoming Olaf Groth, PhD, as strategic advisor
The UC Berkeley Haas professor joins to lead global partnerships and “Geotech” strategy.
Read the company updateWelcome Jack Smith to the Astrum Drive team
U.S. Air Force veteran and Space Force Association VP of Chapter Operations joins Astrum.
Read the company updateUpdates 1–3 of 37
Browse the cards here. Open an update for the full story.Newest supplied updates first. All 37 company updates from 2022–2026 are available here and in the searchable archive. Original news photos load online; supplied Astrum imagery is labeled when used as a contextual illustration.
09 / FAQs
Ambitious technology.
Clear next steps.
Answers for customers, partners and investors: the technology, experimental results, integration pathway and next validation milestones.
Start a conversationWhat has Astrum demonstrated so far?
The primary reference is a 10–50 mN direct vertical force reading, cross-checked by a partner university using its own instrumentation. A ~11.7 mN baseline-corrected university peak is consistent with those direct readings.
The supporting ~50 mN horizontal result is inferred from calibrated displacement, rather than a direct vertical force measurement. Battery-powered free-fall tests add an alternative configuration.
How does the system work?
Astrum describes an electrically driven fluid phase-transition architecture inside a materially closed system. It is designed to operate without expelling propellant mass. The approach grew from research into the Einstein–Szilárd refrigeration framework.
The next validation milestone tests the behavior in a vacuum chamber. Detailed mechanisms, methods and technical records belong in the NDA data-room review.
What does the $5M seed round fund?
The $5,000,000 seed round covers prototype development, independent vacuum validation and an orbital demonstration, alongside the people, IP and commercial work supporting the program.
Vacuum test & validation: 20% ($1,000,000); Hardware & prototyping: 24% ($1,200,000); Team & people: 13% ($650,000); IP & legal: 4% ($200,000); Business development & access: 6% ($300,000); Contingency: 3% ($150,000); Orbital Demo: 30% ($1,500,000). The total is 100% ($5,000,000).
The orbital demonstration is included in this round. Explore the full funding breakdown.
Is the $1.5M orbital-demo funding part of this raise?
Yes. The $1.5M orbital demonstration allocation is 30% of the $5M seed round. It is included in the $5,000,000 total, not an additional raise or a separate financing objective.
The program progresses from vacuum validation to flight readiness and an orbital demonstration. The allocation is a planned use of funds; it is not a statement that funds have already been received or that a flight booking is confirmed.
What do the TRL and scientific-validation claims mean here?
Astrum reports TRL 6, Q1 peer-reviewed publications, Ansys Fluent CFD validation, and independent laboratory testing—bringing together scientific research, computational analysis, and experimental evidence to advance its propulsion technology.
Supporting publications, simulation records, and laboratory reports provide the foundation for detailed technical review. Together, these research and testing milestones provide a strong foundation for prototype refinement, vacuum validation, and preparation for an orbital demonstration.
When is an orbital demonstration planned?
We are planning an orbital demonstration aboard the ISS with Voyager, targeting Q1 2028, following vacuum validation and flight-readiness preparation. The roadmap includes an alternative window in 2029, providing scheduling flexibility as we coordinate technical milestones, financing, and mission integration. First commercial deployments and production scaling are targeted for 2029, advancing Astrum toward broader market adoption.
What protects the technology—and what risks remain?
Astrum’s intellectual property portfolio includes one granted patent and three pending patent applications. Our IP strategy focuses on extending protection internationally and advancing the pending applications toward grant, strengthening the foundation for commercialization and licensing.
Our development roadmap prioritizes independent testing, additional engineering hires, customer engagement through our LOI pipeline, and formal regulatory and export-control review. These initiatives build technical confidence, broaden team expertise, and prepare Astrum for aerospace procurement and commercial deployment.
What can customers, partners and investors review?
Astrum offers a data room on request, with an NDA required for technical materials. The presentation references official test reports, patent documentation, signed LOIs and engagement records.
Start with a company introduction. The technical review can then address measurement methods, scientific publications, readiness, integration requirements, funding assumptions and the flight pathway.
Build the next chapter with us
Every mission deserves
More.
Help take Astrum from its experimental record through independent vacuum validation and toward an orbital demonstration—with one $5M development program.
Request the investor materials
General inquiries: contact@astrumdrive.com.
The 2026 seed round
$5M
Vacuum validation + orbital demonstration
01
Meet the teamThe architecture, the opportunity and the development program.
02
Review the evidenceTechnical materials and laboratory test reports under NDA.
03
Explore the roundThe $5M allocation, validation milestones, IP and the included $1.5M orbital-demonstration budget.
Data room available on request.
NDA required for technical materials.