Starlight Engines is a company specializing in the development and manufacture of advanced spacecraft propulsion systems, particularly Hall effect thrusters. Founded in 2022, they have developed a Hall-effect thruster that utilizes zinc propellant. They have partnered with Benchmark Space Systems to offer customers hybrid propulsion systems combining Hall effect thrusters and chemical propulsion.
All verified mentions of this organization in source documents.
Muon Space acquired Starlight Engines in April.
Muon Space acquired Starlight Engines in April 2026.
Muon Space’s acquisition of Starlight Engines removed an independent propulsion supplier from the open market.
Muon Space acquired Starlight Engines, a propulsion startup targeting the smallsat and microsatellite market.
Starlight Engines targeted the 50–200 kg spacecraft class with its propulsion products before its acquisition by Muon Space.
Muon Space acquired propulsion startup Starlight Engines, bringing an in-house zinc-based propulsion system.
Muon Space acquired propulsion startup Starlight Engines to bring zinc-based thruster technology in-house.
The UK Space Agency collaboration will develop a relationship with the Plasma Dynamics and Electric Propulsion Laboratory at the University of Michigan, Pulsar Fusion, Starlight Engines, and the University of Southampton.