University of Oklahoma and Phase Four Announce Research Partnership
NORMAN, OKLA. – The University of Oklahoma (OU) has joined forces with California-based Phase Four, Inc., a space technology company, to conduct collaborative research on space propulsion technologies. The memorandum of understanding (MOU) was signed at the Oklahoma Aerospace Forum on November 12, 2024.
OADII Deputy Executive Director Drew Allen, left, and Phase Four CEO Steve Kiser, right, signed an MOU during the Oklahoma Aerospace Forum on Nov. 12, 2024.
This partnership will focus on projects under U.S. Department of Defense-funded Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grants, primarily involving iodine-based in-space propulsion. The collaboration also includes exploring the potential establishment of an Oklahoma Plasma Acceleration Laboratory at OU, alongside further research opportunities in iodine propulsion and strengthening ties with the U.S. Space Command.
“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,” stated 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.
OADII and the Gallogly College of Engineering at OU will work alongside Phase Four to develop advanced in-space propulsion systems. These systems will leverage Phase Four’s proprietary radio-frequency thruster technology, which utilizes iodine as a propellant.
“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,” explained Steve Kiser, CEO of Phase Four. “While the U.S. does have some capacity to manufacture these gasses, the bulk of the world’s production is in China, Russia and Ukraine, leading to significant price volatility and exposure to trade barriers. Iodine, in comparison, is widely abundant in Oklahoma and enjoys a history of price stability.”
Kiser further notes that the physics of using iodine are also advantageous. Because of its energy density, both NASA and the Air Force Research Laboratory are keenly interested in developing 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 between OU and Phase Four is designed to capitalize on the strengths of each organization. OU’s expertise in iodine chemistry and growing capabilities in aerospace engineering, combined with Phase Four’s experience in in-space propulsion and its relationships within the commercial and defense sectors, are expected to contribute to the rapid progress of this collaboration.
