TLDR:
- Lockheed Martin Ventures invests in Helicity Space, a California startup developing fusion engines for spaceflight.
- Lockheed Martin sees potential in Helicity’s plasma fusion approach as a solution for deep-space travel.
Lockheed Martin Ventures has made an investment in Helicity Space, a California startup that is working on developing fusion engines for spaceflight. While the exact value of the investment has not been disclosed, Lockheed Martin’s support is significant as it is one of the strategic partners that Helicity believes will be important in the next decade.
Helicity’s technology aims to propel spacecraft using short bursts of fusion, offering potential benefits such as minimal propellant usage, high power output, and the ability to cover long distances. This addresses the current challenge of propulsion in deep space travel, with fusion being one of the promising solutions.
Lockheed Martin Ventures, along with other investors, will provide funding for Helicity to continue testing with four plasma guns to assess the viability of their approach. This testing will help determine the levels of thrust that can be generated and assess the practicality of the technology for future space missions.
Lockheed Martin’s interest in Helicity’s plasma fusion approach is driven by the need for alternative propulsion methods for deep space travel, especially as missions beyond Mars would require large amounts of propellant. The collaboration between Lockheed Martin Ventures and Helicity aims to advance fusion technology for potential use in future space missions.
