Helicity Space Secures $5M in Funding for Fusion Engines Development

California-based startup Helicity Space, who are focused on developing fusion engines for spaceflight, have successfully raised $5 million in a seed funding round. The funding was secured from a consortium of investors, including Airbus Ventures, TRE Ventures, Voyager Space Holdings, E2MC Space, Urania Ventures, and Gaingels.

“We're happy to be backed by long-term strategic partners of substance. We almost look at them as future clients.” - Stephane Lintner, Helicity Space Co-founder.

Founded in 2018 in Pasadena, Helicity operated in relative secrecy during its early years, diligently laying the groundwork for its ambitious fusion propulsion technology. Lintner, a former Goldman Sachs managing director and holder of a Ph.D. in applied mathematics from the California Institute of Technology, noted the meticulous approach taken by the company.

“The company took a lot of time dotting the i’s, crossing the t’s and lining up the right science advisors to make sure that before we raised capital, we de-risked the project as much as possible.” - Stephane Lintner, Helicity Space Co-founder.  

The recent funding injection will propel Helicity towards the development of a proof-of-concept fusion drive.

“Before we put things in space, we need to demonstrate the full device working on Earth at smaller scale. The funding allows us to demonstrate the novelty of this concept.” - Stephane Lintner, Helicity Space Co-founder.  

Deep Space Missions

Fusion power, long a staple of science fiction, holds promise for clean and abundant energy which could significantly reduce travel times to destinations such as Mars and beyond.

“If we really want to create this expansion, where we actually get to the asteroid fields or to deeper space, even to map it out and figure out what resources are there, you need a different kind of propulsion.” - Stephane Lintner, Helicity Space Co-founder.  

Helicity’s technology, rooted in the work of Chief Scientist Setthivoine You, utilizes a magneto-inertial fusion method developed specifically with space propulsion in mind.

“Helicity Space has developed a novel approach to fusion reactions, using multiple recombining plasma jets to create and control the conditions necessary for fusion to occur.” - Lewis Pinault, Airbus Ventures partner

Despite the challenges ahead, Helicity remains optimistic about the potential of its technology.

“It’s going to take a few years and it’s going to require capital. We’re just at the beginning of the journey, but we have reasonable belief that this may work.” - Stephane Lintner, Helicity Space Co-founder.  

“Fusion-based propulsion will revolutionize humankind’s ability to traverse deep space.” - Lewis Pinault, Airbus Ventures partner

Helicity Space boasts a roster of strategic advisors, including former NASA astronaut William Ready, retired U.S. Navy captain and former NASA associate administrator; Alan Stern, former NASA’s Science Mission Directorate leader; and Simon “Pete” Worden, former NASA Ames Research Center director and retired U.S. Air Force brigadier general. Their expertise adds substantial credibility to Helicity's mission, reinforcing the company's commitment to advancing space exploration through groundbreaking fusion technology.