Gate Space: Precision Thrust Control for Satellites

Precise thrust control for satellites Gate Space: Austrian Innovation in Satellite Propulsion Technology

2026-02-13 From Veronika Maucher 1 min Reading Time

Gate Space is developing pioneering rocket engines that can regulate satellite thrust with precision. More than 8,000 tests and a planned launch in 2026 demonstrate the potential.

The Austrian start-up Gate Space, a spin-off from TU Wien, brings together 21 international experts. It is dedicated to developing high‑thrust chemical propulsion systems for satellites, capsules and landing vehicles that enable precise thrust control for satellites. This technology is essential to ensure the exact positioning and control of satellites in space. By precisely regulating thrust, satellites can manoeuvre accurately in their orbits, significantly improving their service life and functionality.

Gate Space has already conducted over 8,000 hot‑fire tests under atmospheric and vacuum conditions to validate the performance and reliability of its engines.

Launch in 2026

At the heart of the development is Gate Space’s state‑of‑the‑art facility, where not only the aforementioned satellite engines but also jetpacks are tested and further developed. The company operates a 560 m² high‑precision production facility and a commercial test site for high‑thrust mobility systems. With a 98 per cent European supply chain and full in‑house control of critical technologies, every product is designed, built and qualified on site — from engineering and CNC machining to assembly in the ISO 8 clean room and testing in high‑performance vacuum facilities.

26pm03-20kompakte-20l-c3-b6sungen-20f-c3-bcr-20luft--20und-20raumfahrt-202-2362x1329v1 (Picture: Keysight)

A key milestone for Gate Space is the planned satellite launch aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket this year. This step will demonstrate how its propulsion technology performs in practice and what opportunities it opens up for spaceflight. Precise control of satellite thrust could fundamentally change the design and operation of future satellites.

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