Quantum Space acquires Phase Four propulsion assets

WASHINGTON — Quantum Space is acquiring propulsion technologies and facilities from Phase Four to support development of its Ranger maneuverable spacecraft.

The company announced Sept. 22 it acquired Phase Four’s multi-mode propulsion technology and its integration and test facility in Southern California. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Phase Four’s multi-mode propulsion technology allows a thruster to operate both as a chemical thruster, providing high thrust, and as an electric thruster, offering greater efficiency. Last year, the company said it demonstrated the technology in its Maxwell Block 3 thruster using hydrazine and ASCENT, a nontoxic alternative propellant.

Quantum Space said it plans to use the technology on Ranger, its line of spacecraft for commercial and government missions in Earth orbit and cislunar space. Ranger is designed to host up to 6,000 kilograms of customer payloads and provide at least 2.5 kilometers per second of delta-V, or change in velocity.

“Acquiring Phase Four’s multi-mode propulsion assets marks a major inflection point for Quantum Space,” Kerry Wisnosky, the company’s chief executive, said in a statement. “It gives us the agility, resilience and efficiency required to serve the most demanding national security missions, support civil science objectives and meet commercial customers where they are headed.”

Quantum Space raised $40 million in June, saying at the time it was shifting from cislunar applications of Ranger to national security missions, including opportunities related to the Golden Dome missile defense system.

“Mission areas such as Golden Dome, maneuverable GEO and life extension all will benefit,” Wisnosky said. “This is about providing unmatched space mobility.”

Quantum Space said it will use the acquired facilities — which include a high bay, clean room and related labs — to “accelerate the rapid development and expansion” of the propulsion systems and Ranger spacecraft.

Phase Four Chief Executive Steve Kiser called the deal a partnership. “Partnering with Quantum Space ensures that this technology scales and finds its way into the missions that matter most — defense, science, commercial infrastructure,” he said in the statement. “I’m proud of what the Phase Four team built, and Quantum Space is the right partner to get the multi-mode capability on orbit.”

The deal comes 10 days after satellite manufacturer Apex said it was acquiring Hall Effect thruster technology from Phase Four as part of its latest $200 million funding round, including personnel and hardware.

That announcement prompted speculation Phase Four is winding down operations. The company’s website has been inaccessible since the Apex deal.

In January, Phase Four said it had closed the first tranche of a Series C funding round. It did not disclose the amount but said it raised 60% of its target. Artemis Group Capital, an investment firm led by former NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine, led the round.