Space Machines finalizes Scintilla propulsion engine for Optimus Viper

Space Machines finalizes Scintilla propulsion engine for Optimus Viper
by Simon Mansfield
Sydney, Australia (SPX) Aug 21, 2025
Space Machines Company has announced the completion of its in-house Scintilla propulsion engine, designed to power the Optimus Viper platform for rapid orbital manoeuvring and space domain awareness. The engine has achieved 65-second sustained burns, more than 1,200 seconds of cumulative testing, and 40 restarts to date.

The metal 3D-printed thruster delivers 50 Newtons of thrust at 92 percent efficiency, surpassing the firm's initial 90 percent target. Engineers expect future versions to approach near-perfect efficiency. The system emphasizes reliability and scalability, allowing thrust output to increase tenfold with only minimal design modifications.

"We've achieved faster progress than even our most optimistic schedules predicted," said Rajat Kulshrestha, Co-Founder and CEO of SMC. "The engine has reached steady-state conditions and can run for extended periods, limited only by propellant supply from our tanks."

SMC opted for complete vertical integration of propulsion development, in contrast to most satellite manufacturers that outsource engines. "Propulsion is absolutely core to what Space Machines needs to do," explained Ian Partis, Vice President of Engineering and Mission Operations. "The satellite is essentially a propulsion system with a payload on top."

The Scintilla program advanced through all design phases, with final achievements including extended burn operation, restart reliability, 92 percent efficiency, scalable architecture, and robust performance under varying conditions. The propulsion team adopted a "build-to-learn, learn-to-build" approach, identifying and resolving issues rapidly through co-located testing and manufacturing facilities.

Vertical integration enabled immediate responses to engineering challenges. "When the team identified an issue during testing, they diagnosed it within 10 minutes and implemented solutions immediately," Kulshrestha said. "That responsiveness is impossible when working with external suppliers."

With development concluded, SMC will now integrate Scintilla with flight-grade valves and propellant management systems ahead of its first deployment on Optimus Viper. The propulsion-focused satellite design represents a shift toward maneuverability and responsiveness in orbital operations.

"This achievement demonstrates that small, focused teams can deliver world-class propulsion systems on accelerated timelines," Partis said. "The propulsion-centric design of our Optimus Viper satellite represents a fundamentally different approach to space missions."