Anthony Vinci, Former NGA Associate Director and CTO, Joins as Board Observer

BOSTON, Mass. – September 22, 2021 — Accion  Systems (“Accion”), a leading manufacturer of the world’s most advanced ion electrospray in-space propulsion systems, today announced that  former National Aeronautics and Space Administration (“NASA”) Administrator Dan Goldin has joined its Board of Directors. 

Dan was the longest-tenured Administrator of NASA, from April 1992 to November 2001. His deep experience with the space industry and direct experience in development and operation of electric propulsion systems will help Accion position its flagship ion thruster, TILE, for wider adoption in the market. Dan will also be invaluable in the development of future products and scaling the TILE technology to serve a wider spectrum of satellites and spacecraft.

Xplore’s XLEO commercial spacecraft will provide affordable, multi-year hosting services to test Accion’s ultra-efficient ionic liquid electrospray propulsion system in LEO

REDMOND, Wash. and BOSTON, Mass., August 10, 2021 (Xplore PR) — Xplore Inc., a commercial space company providing Space as a Service®, today announced a cooperative Memorandum of Understanding with Accion Systems to provide spacecraft hosting services for the next generation of Accion’s flagship ion thruster, TILE. The partnership will validate the resiliency of TILE’s fault tolerant design, and prove its performance as the most efficient electric propulsion system in space. A successful mission will demonstrate Accion’s growing family of TILE thrusters can extend the value of any size spacecraft, while ensuring they can deorbit sustainably.

Investment to fuel growth in the in-space propulsion market, bringing the TILE ionic liquid electrospray propulsion system to satellites and spacecraft of all sizes and missions

BOSTON, Mass., July 21, 2021 (Accion Systems PR) – Accion Systems, a leading manufacturer of the world’s most advanced ion electrospray in-space propulsion systems, today announced $42 million in Series C funding led by an affiliate of Tracker Capital Management, LLC (“Tracker Capital”). The investment brings Accion Systems’ valuation to $83.5 million and Tracker Capital has acquired a majority stake in the company. The funding will accelerate the development of Accion’s next-generation propulsion system and scale up its manufacturing to meet the surging demand for in-space propulsion.

COLUMBIA, Ill., June 24, 2021 (NanoAvionics PR) – NanoAvionics is gearing up for the SpaceX Transporter-2 rideshare launch at the end of June, with several satellite missions from its customers, promising to have a positive impact on businesses and communities in remote regions on Earth, as well as pioneering an ionic liquid electrospray propulsion system. Among the applications onboard are also the world’s first 1U-sized hyperspectral imager and a new high-gain X-band antenna.

NanoAvionics US Inc. will include Accion’s TILE Ion Electrospray Propulsion System as a preferred option for all appropriate customer missions that require electric in-space propulsion.

BOSTON, Mass., March 12, 2021 ( PR) –  Accion Systems, a leading in-space propulsion manufacturer, has signed a new partnership agreement with NanoAvionics US Inc., a US division of the multinational nanosatellite bus manufacturer and mission integrator. The TILE in-space propulsion system will be listed as a preferred option for all appropriate missions that require electric in-space propulsion and Accion Systems will provide preferred pricing to NanoAvionics US Inc.

Air Force Award Will Drive Advanced Development and Commercialization of Multi-Mode In-Space Propulsion System.

BOSTON, Mass., August 11, 2020 (Accion Systems PR — In-space propulsion pioneer Accion Systems announced today that it has been awarded a follow-on Phase II Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract through AFWERX, in partnership with Air Force Research Lab (AFRL), and the National Security Innovation Network (NSIN). The award recognizes the successful completion of the Phase I SBIR contact earlier this year and exciting promise for Accion’s TILE ion electrospray propulsion for use in national security missions. 

BOSTON, Feb. 4, 2020  (Accion Systems PR) — In-space propulsion system pioneer Accion Systems today announced that it is raising $11 million in Series B funding. The round is being co-led by Boeing HorizonX Ventures and Shasta Ventures.

The Series B round brings Accion’s total funding to date to $36 million, which includes $14 million in U.S. Dept. of Defense and NASA contracts. The new capital will be used to ramp up production of Accion’s next-generation product and to expand hiring.

CHICAGO, Oct. 10, 2018 (Boeing PR) — Boeing [NYSE: BA] today announced its investment in Accion Systems Inc., a Boston, Mass.,-based startup pioneering scalable electric propulsion technology to transform satellite capabilities in and beyond Earth’s orbit.

Accion’s new Tiled Ionic Liquid Electrospray (TILE) in-space propulsion system aims to increase the lifespan and maneuverability of satellites and other vehicles in space. Leveraging a non-toxic, ionic liquid propellant and postage stamp-size thrusters, the TILE system is smaller, lighter and more cost-effective than traditional ion engines.

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Bryce Space and Technology has produced a new report, Start-up Space: Update on Investment in Commercial Space Ventures.

Below is the executive summary. You can also download the full report.

Executive Summary

The Start-Up Space series examines space investment in the 21st century and analyzes investment trends, focusing on investors in new companies that have acquired private financing. Space is continuing to attract increased attention in Silicon Valley and in investment communities world-wide. Space ventures now appeal to investors because new, lower-cost systems are envisioned to follow the path terrestrial tech has profitably traveled: dropping system costs and massively increasing user bases for new products, especially new data products. Large valuations and exits are demonstrating the potential for high returns.
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BOSTON, August 7, 2017 (Accion Systems PR) — Accion Systems and York Space Systems announced today that they have signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on a standardized propulsion system for future use with York Space Systems’ spacecraft platform.  As part of the intended partnership, Accion Systems will become a preferred provider of standardized propulsion systems, providing York’s customers with state-of-the-art ion engine systems for their spacecraft missions.

“We are thrilled to be working with York Space Systems, one of the most exciting manufacturers of satellites today,” said Natalya Bailey, CEO of Accion Systems.  “By leveraging our scalable electric propulsion systems, York’s customers will be able to expand the capabilities and extend the life of each mission, helping create a new standard for what’s achievable in commercial and government space.”

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