Houghton Based Company Chosen To Supply Thrusters For Satellites

Orbion Space Technology, based right here in Houghton, has been selected to supply thrusters for satellites that are set to begin launching next year. Blue Canyon Technologies, based out of Colorado, has chosen Orbion Space Technology to produce orbital thrusters for a satellite program which is funded by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. The $14.1 million contract was awarded to Blue Canyon back in June, for the first four of 20 planned satellites for their Blackjack Program, which will be on Blue Canyon’s X-Sat microsatellite bus. Orbion will provide onboard electric propulsion systems, which will be produced right here in Houghton. Orbion is a Keweenaw company to its core, as it was born out of research from Michigan Tech. Brad King, CEO of Orbion Space Technologies said they were excited to play a vital role in the program.