Very Low Earth Orbit is now accessible. Where others can't fly, NEO-1 thrives — delivering next-level imaging, global connectivity, real-time data, and redefining what's possible in orbit.
NEO-1 turns altitude into resolution. Optical and IR instruments hosted at 200–300 km resolve detail higher orbits cannot reach — for maritime awareness, disaster response, infrastructure monitoring and defence. See critical infrastructure with greater clarity.
For Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) operators, NEO-1 cuts the power budget. Operating closer to Earth means smaller apertures and lower transmit power for the same all-weather, day-night imaging — making proliferated SAR constellations viable at a fraction of the conventional cost.
For telecom operators, NEO-1 closes the link to handheld devices. Hosting D2D payloads at one-third the altitude of conventional satellites means smaller terminals, lower power, and bandwidth that begins to rival terrestrial 5G — without specialised user equipment.
For meteorological and climate payloads, NEO-1 reaches a layer of the atmosphere that higher orbits cannot sample directly. GNSS-RO receivers, hyperspectral sounders and aerosol instruments hosted on NEO-1 give operators sharper data for hurricane, flood and wildfire forecasting.
For RF and SIGINT payloads, proximity boosts sensitivity. NEO-1's altitude raises received signal strength enough that smaller, lower-power receivers can perform missions that previously required much larger satellites. Detect weaker signals from lower orbit.
Atmospheric Drag
The closer to Earth, the thicker the atmosphere, the faster orbital decay. While conventional satellites stay in space for decades, Very Low Earth Orbit satellites re-enter the atmosphere within weeks, requiring constant orbit correction using propulsion. Until now, the propellant needed to correct the orbit made operations at these altitudes impossible.
Atomic Oxygen
Not all materials can survive in Very Low Earth Orbit. Atomic oxygen reacts with surfaces and electronics, quickly degrading them, damaging payloads, and shortening the satellite’s lifespan.
Aerodynamic Torques
In Very Low Earth Orbits, even minor asymmetries generate unwanted torque, making precise, controlled flight an engineering challenge.
HowNEO-1staysclose.
Each challenge above has an answer engineered into NEO-1: AURA for drag, atomic-oxygen-tolerant materials for oxidisation, and aerodynamic symmetry for torques.
Built for efficient, sustained operation in Very Low Earth Orbit, AURA is our breakthrough xenon-driven propulsion system. It delivers four times higher specific impulse than typical alternatives, achieving the same capabilities with four times less propellant.
At VLEO altitudes, atomic oxygen aggressively degrades exposed surfaces and electronics. NEO-1's structural alloys and exterior architecture are selected and laid out to resist this degradation — protecting the platform, the payload and the five-year mission life.
In VLEO, even minor geometric asymmetries generate unwanted torque. NEO-1's symmetrical geometry, forward centre of mass, and precision ADCS neutralise aerodynamic torque — giving hosted payloads the pointing stability they need.
AURA is our in-house electric propulsion system, in development since 2021 and now in its seventh generation. It uses a radio-frequency thruster and a proprietary cathode to deliver four times the specific impulse of conventional electric propulsion. That difference is what makes a five-year mission at 200–300 km possible.
Builttofightdrag,everysecond,forfiveyears.
Staying in Very Low Earth Orbit means thrusting against the atmosphere for an entire mission. AURA was designed for exactly that.
Completely propellant agnostic.
One engine, tested on xenon, air, oxygen, nitrogen, krypton and CO₂
7th engine generation - fully integrated unit designed to pass pre-launch tests.
6th engine generation with built-in electronics and control algorithms.
4th generation of the engine with integrated electronics, passes continuous 24-hour operational tests.
3rd generation which demonstrated stable and efficient operations.
Demonstration of the first NewOrbit engine.
