Representatives from the University of Oklahoma (OU) and Phase Four, Inc., a California-based space technology company, formalized a partnership at the Oklahoma Aerospace Forum on Tuesday, November 19, 2024. The agreement focuses on advancing collaborative research into space propulsion technologies.
The partnership establishes a framework for joint efforts related to U.S. Department of Defense-funded Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grants centered on iodine-based in-space propulsion. Further, the collaboration will explore the feasibility of establishing an Oklahoma Plasma Acceleration Laboratory at OU, identify emerging research opportunities in iodine propulsion, and strengthen the university’s existing partnership with the U.S. Space Command in the ongoing advancement of in-space technologies.
“OU, through our Oklahoma Aerospace and Defense Innovation Institute, is committed to developing next-generation research and development for the advancement of American aerospace and defense technologies,” said Col Drew Allen, USAF (Retired), deputy executive director of the Oklahoma Aerospace and Defense Innovation Institute and director of research initiatives in the Office of the Vice President of Research and Partnerships.
The Oklahoma Aerospace and Defense Innovation Institute (OADII) and the Gallogly College of Engineering at OU will team with Phase Four to develop advanced in-space propulsion systems. The systems will use Phase Four’s proprietary radio-frequency thruster technology, which employs iodine as a propellant.
Steve Kiser, CEO of Phase Four, highlighted the strategic importance of the collaboration stating, “This partnership directly addresses key trends in the space industry. Traditional electric propulsion systems typically rely on rare and expensive noble gasses for propellants, primarily xenon and krypton.” He explained that the U.S. has limited domestic production of these gases and that the bulk of global production lies in China, Russia, and Ukraine, which creates price volatility and potential for trade barriers. Kiser further explained that iodine, in contrast, is abundant in Oklahoma and has a history of price stability.
Kiser also noted the advantages of iodine’s physics for space propulsion. Both NASA and the Air Force Research Laboratory are actively exploring iodine as an in-space propellant. “Because iodine stores as a solid, a satellite requires much less iodine to achieve the same performance in orbit. This reduces the size and the weight of the propulsion system on the satellite. The energy density, coupled with iodine’s lower cost, means a satellite using iodine could save well over 75% of its overall propellant costs,” Kiser added.
The partnership combines OU’s expertise in iodine chemistry and growing aerospace engineering capabilities with Phase Four’s extensive expertise in in-space propulsion and their established connections within both commercial and defense sectors, positioning the collaboration for rapid growth.
