Lockheed Martin Ventures Teams Up with Helicity Space Through Significant Investment

Lockheed Martin Ventures has collaborated with Helicity Space, a California-based startup pioneering fusion engines for space travel, by making a substantial investment in the company. The exact value of the investment has not been disclosed, but Helicity’s co-founder Stephane Lintner has emphasized the importance of Lockheed Martin’s support, stating that they are one of the strategic partners crucial for the next decade.

In addition to Lockheed Martin Ventures, Helicity also counts Airbus Ventures and Voyager Space Holdings among its strategic partners. These investors were part of the startup’s initial seed funding round announced in December. Headquartered in Pasadena, Helicity is focused on advancing technology for spacecraft propulsion using short bursts of fusion energy.

Lintner has highlighted the need for propulsion advancements in deep space travel, pointing out that fusion could offer a solution with minimal propellant consumption, high power output, and the ability to cover long distances. Meanwhile, Lockheed Martin is exploring nuclear thermal propulsion in collaboration with NASA and DARPA to enhance deep-space transportation capabilities.

Chris Moran, Vice President and General Manager of Lockheed Martin Ventures, has stressed the importance of alternative propulsion methods for missions beyond Mars, where propellant mass is a critical factor. Lockheed Martin sees potential in Helicity’s plasma fusion approach, which involves using plasma guns to create intense plasma for fusion reactions. The company, along with other investors, is funding Helicity to conduct further testing with four plasma guns to assess thrust levels and mitigate risks.

Lockheed Martin’s involvement is not just a financial investment but also signifies potential long-term partnership and customer opportunities for Helicity. The collaboration provides guidance in navigating the defense sector and attracting government support. Lintner believes that Lockheed Martin Ventures’ investment reflects the maturity of the field and validates Helicity’s technology due to the rigorous due diligence process that preceded the investment.

Overall, the collaboration between Lockheed Martin Ventures and Helicity Space holds great promise for the future of space travel and propulsion technology.