Orbion Space Technology
Michigan-based maker of Hall-effect electric propulsion systems for small satellites, acquired by York Space Systems in March 2026.
Orbion Space Technology designs and manufactures Aurora, a line of Hall-effect plasma thrusters for constellation-scale small-satellite missions, from its Houghton, Michigan facility. Co-founded in 2016 by Michigan Tech professor Brad King and Jason Sommerville, Orbion held NASA and Air Force/AFRL propulsion contracts before being acquired by York Space Systems on March 12, 2026 to vertically integrate propulsion into York's SDA constellation production.
Overview
- Headquarters
- Houghton, MI
- Founded
- 2016
- Employees
- 70+
- Total funding
- ~$72M (Series A-C; largest single round $20M Series B, Jun 2021)
- Stage
- Acquired
- Status
- acquired
- Domains
- Space systems, Satellite propulsion, Electric propulsion
- Website
- orbionspace.com
Founders2
Investors0
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Cap table0
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Contracts0
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Programs0
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Frequently asked
- What does Orbion Space Technology do?
- Orbion Space Technology designs and manufactures Aurora, a line of Hall-effect plasma thrusters for constellation-scale small-satellite missions, from its Houghton, Michigan facility. Co-founded in 2016 by Michigan Tech professor Brad King and Jason Sommerville, Orbion held NASA and Air Force/AFRL propulsion contracts before being acquired by York Space Systems on March 12, 2026 to vertically integrate propulsion into York's SDA constellation production.
- Where is Orbion Space Technology headquartered?
- Orbion Space Technology is headquartered in Houghton, MI and was founded in 2016.
- How much funding has Orbion Space Technology raised?
- Orbion Space Technology has raised ~$72M (Series A-C; largest single round $20M Series B, Jun 2021) in disclosed funding.
- What does Orbion Space Technology specialize in?
- Orbion Space Technology works across Space systems, Satellite propulsion, Electric propulsion.
Sources & citations4
Each claim links to its underlying source. Confidence reflects how directly the source supports the claim.
- 1
York Space Systems acquired Orbion Space Technology, announced March 12, 2026; Orbion becomes a wholly-owned York subsidiary retaining its Houghton, MI facility and brand; financial terms not disclosed
Business Wire: York Space Systems Acquires Orbion Space Technology, Further Strengthening Supply Chain with Flight-Proven Spacecraft CapabilityVerified2026-03-12 - 2
Corroborating trade press coverage of the York-Orbion acquisition, including Orbion's prior delivery of 33 Aurora propulsion systems to York on Jan 13, 2026
SpaceNews: York Space acquires satellite propulsion manufacturer Orbion SpaceVerified2026-03-12 - 3
Orbion co-founded 2016 in Houghton, Michigan by Brad King and Jason Sommerville; grew to 70+ employees
Michigan Business: Orbion Space Technology | Success StoryReported2026-03-16 - 4
Orbion raised a $20M Series B in June 2021 led by Inventus Capital Partners
TechCrunch: Orbion, manufacturer of in-space plasma propulsion systems, raises $20M Series BVerified2021-06-24