NewOrbit Space is a UK-based satellite manufacturer developing spacecraft designed to operate sustainably in Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO), between approximately 180 km and 300 km altitude. The company’s first in-orbit demonstration mission, NEO-1, will validate a new generation of high-efficiency electric propulsion and spacecraft technologies tailored specifically for this demanding orbital regime.

The mission is designed to demonstrate sustained operations at very-low altitudes, where atmospheric drag, aerodynamic torques and atomic oxygen exposure present unique engineering challenges.

Unlocking Sustainable Operations Below 300 km

Historically, orbits below 300 km have been considered impractical for long-duration missions due to rapid orbital decay. Satellites operating at these altitudes typically experience lifetimes measured in weeks or months unless continuous station-keeping is performed.

NewOrbit’s NEO-1 platform is engineered specifically to address these challenges through:

• High-efficiency electric propulsion optimized for drag compensation
• Aerodynamically stable spacecraft architecture
• Atomic oxygen-resistant materials and surface treatments
• Very-low-orbit-specific attitude determination and control modes

By combining propulsion efficiency with structural and systems-level design tailored to ULEO, NEO-1 aims to demonstrate controlled descent, station-keeping, and sustained operation in this previously underutilized orbital band.

A Dedicated Ultra-Low Orbit Satellite Platform

Unlike traditional LEO satellites adapted for lower altitudes, the NEO platform has been designed from the ground up for VLEO operations. The spacecraft integrates:

• A high-specific-impulse RF ion propulsion system (stored-propellant configuration)
• Redundant propulsion architecture for operational resilience
• Advanced thermal management to accommodate higher drag heating
• Aerodynamic mass distribution for passive stability
• ADCS systems adapted for elevated aerodynamic torque environments

The satellite is compatible with standard LEO launch vehicles and performs a controlled orbital transfer from deployment altitude down to its operational regime.

Demonstrating the Economic Advantage of Flying Lower

Operating closer to Earth provides substantial performance benefits for Earth observation missions:

• Higher imaging resolution from smaller apertures
• Reduced payload size for equivalent ground sampling distance
• Lower latency and improved data throughput
• Naturally self-clearing orbital environment due to atmospheric drag

For example, imaging performance that typically requires large, high-cost satellite platforms in conventional LEO can be achieved with significantly smaller optical systems when operating at ~200 km.

NEO-1 will demonstrate these advantages in orbit while validating the spacecraft’s ability to operate reliably under elevated drag conditions.

Focused on Full Satellite Ownership and Integration

NewOrbit develops its satellite platform in-house rather than rely on third-party buses. This decision enables:

• Tight propulsion-platform integration
• Full control over aerodynamic and structural design
• Optimized system-level mass and power budgets
• Faster iteration between propulsion and spacecraft engineering teams

Purpose-Built Testing Infrastructure

To support development, NewOrbit operates dedicated testing infrastructure and propulsion validation facilities in the UK. These facilities enable:

• Integrated propulsion endurance testing
• High-voltage and RF electronics validation
• Air-intake and plasma system characterization
• Thermal-vacuum testing of subsystems

This in-house capability accelerates development cycles and reduces dependency on external facilities during critical testing phases.

NEO-1 as a Pathway to Operational VLEO Missions

The NEO-1 mission is designed as a pathfinder for future operational satellites capable of multi-year missions in the 180–300 km range. Beyond propulsion validation, the mission will gather valuable data on:

• Atmospheric density variation
• Spacecraft dynamics in high-drag environments
• ADCS performance under aerodynamic torque loading
• Power and thermal behavior in VLEO

• Hosting Customer and Partner Payloads on the Pathfinder Mission
• The spacecraft will host multiple payloads from selected customers and strategic partners to demonstrate real mission capability in Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO). By flying operational payloads alongside the propulsion system, NewOrbit will validate not only drag compensation and station-keeping, but also the practical performance improvements achievable at lower altitudes — including higher imaging resolution, improved data throughput, and enhanced mission efficiency. This approach ensures that NEO-1 delivers tangible in-orbit results for partners while proving that sustained VLEO operation is commercially viable, scalable, and ready for future production missions.

By validating sustained operation in very-low orbits, NewOrbit aims to open a new operational regime for commercial and institutional Earth observation missions.

About NewOrbit Space

NewOrbit Space is a UK-based aerospace company developing high-efficiency electric propulsion and fully integrated satellite platforms for sustained operations in Very Low Earth Orbit. The company focuses on unlocking the performance, economic, and sustainability advantages of flying closer to Earth through propulsion innovation and vertically integrated spacecraft design.

Click here to learn more about NewOrbit Space's NEO-1 Orbiting Satellite