Muon Space Achieves World-First: Zinc Propellant Hall-Effect Thruster Successfully Fires in Space
Muon Space has successfully tested the world's first zinc-fueled Hall-effect thruster in orbit aboard the SERT-III spacecraft. This milestone validates a new, more cost-effective propulsion technology for satellite constellations.
Why it matters
This innovation could significantly lower the cost and complexity of satellite deployment, advancing the commercial space industry.
Starlight propulsion system validated on orbit to pave the way for customer constellation deployments later in 2026
Muon Space's zinc-fueled Starlight Hall-effect thruster on orbit, imaged by an onboard camera on SERT-III.
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., Sept. 10, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Muon Space , the Mission Foundry for high-performance satellite constellations, today announced the successful first-ever in-space firing of a zinc-fueled Hall-effect thruster. The burn was executed aboard SERT-III, a dedicated propulsion test spacecraft designed, built, and launched by Muon in less than one year. The milestone firing validates the company's Starlight electric propulsion system end-to-end in the orbital environment, and establishes a new benchmark for what is possible in commercial electric propulsion.
Muon Space's Starlight thruster during hot fire testing.
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