Australian space companies build on successful SpIRIT mission to deliver sovereign satellite capability, with first Hyperion spacecraft targeted for launch in late 2027
ADELAIDE, SOUTH AUSTRALIA — 24 August 2026 — Inovor Technologies today announced it has selected the Neumann Drive® electric propulsion system from Neumann Space for its Hyperion satellite constellation, strengthening a long-standing collaboration between two Australian space companies and building on their successful partnership in orbit aboard the SpIRIT mission. The first Hyperion satellite is targeted for launch in late 2027, marking an important milestone in Inovor Technologies’ development of an Australian-designed and manufactured space-based Space Domain Awareness capability.
Hyperion: Advanced Space Domain Awareness from Orbit
Hyperion is Inovor Technologies’ emerging Space Situational Awareness (SSA) and Space Domain Awareness (SDA) satellite constellation, designed to improve the ability to detect, identify and characterise objects in orbit. The Hyperion spacecraft combines an optical telescope and advanced imaging sensor with Inovor’s onboard artificial intelligence and autonomous spacecraft technologies, enabling the satellite to identify objects of interest and intelligently support navigation and mission operations. As the orbital environment becomes increasingly congested and strategically important, improved awareness of objects and activities in space is critical to the safe, sustainable and secure use of space by commercial, civil and defence operators. Hyperion is being developed to contribute to this need by providing persistent, space-based observations and actionable information for customers in Australia and internationally. The first Hyperion spacecraft will use Inovor’s 16U satellite platform, extending the company’s growing family of Australian-developed satellite buses and its vertically integrated approach to spacecraft design, manufacturing, integration, testing and operations.
Neumann Drive Selected to Provide In-Space Mobility
Inovor Technologies has selected the Neumann Drive®, developed and manufactured in Adelaide by Neumann Space, to provide electric propulsion for Hyperion, giving the spacecraft the ability to manoeuvre in orbit and supporting the operational flexibility required for a Space Domain Awareness mission. For Hyperion, propulsion provides an important additional dimension to the mission. The ability to manoeuvre can enable the spacecraft to optimise its orbit during its operational life, support constellation management, respond to changing mission requirements and conduct responsible end-of-life operations.
The selection also provides Inovor with an Australian-developed propulsion solution that has already been successfully integrated with an Inovor spacecraft platform and demonstrated in orbit. Dr Matt Tetlow, CEO of Inovor Technologies, said: “Hyperion represents an important step forward for Inovor and for Australia’s sovereign space capability. We are developing a highly capable, intelligent spacecraft designed to help our customers better understand an increasingly complex and contested space environment.”
“Mobility is an important part of that capability. We selected the Neumann Drive because it provides a proven electric propulsion solution that integrates well with our spacecraft architecture, while giving Hyperion greater operational flexibility throughout its mission.”
“Importantly, this is not a new relationship. Inovor and Neumann Space have already demonstrated that our technologies can work successfully together in orbit through the SpIRIT mission. Hyperion allows us to build on that experience and take the partnership into an operational constellation.”
Building on the Success of SpIRIT
The Hyperion program builds on several years of collaboration between Inovor Technologies and Neumann Space. The companies previously worked together on SpIRIT — the Space Industry Responsive Intelligent Thermal nanosatellite, led by the University of Melbourne and supported by the Australian Space Agency. Launched in December 2023, SpIRIT was built around an Inovor Technologies 6U satellite platform and carried a Neumann Drive as one of its Australian-developed technologies. The mission successfully demonstrated the integration and operation of the two companies’ technologies in the space environment, including successful in-orbit firings of the Neumann Drive. That experience provided valuable engineering knowledge around spacecraft integration, environmental testing and in-orbit operations and has helped de-risk the use of Neumann propulsion technology on future Inovor spacecraft. In 2024, the companies announced their intention to build on the SpIRIT success and collaborate on integrating Neumann propulsion technology across Inovor’s growing family of satellite platforms. The selection of the Neumann Drive for Hyperion represents a significant commercial progression of that relationship.
Strengthening Australia’s Sovereign Space Capability
Both Inovor Technologies and Neumann Space are headquartered in Adelaide, South Australia, and the Hyperion program demonstrates the increasing ability of Australia’s space sector to deliver sophisticated spacecraft technologies domestically. By combining Inovor’s satellite platforms, mission systems, onboard computing and artificial intelligence capabilities with Neumann Space’s Australian-developed electric propulsion technology, Hyperion brings together complementary sovereign technologies within an integrated spacecraft. The first Hyperion satellite is currently targeted for launch in late 2027, with subsequent spacecraft planned as Inovor develops the Hyperion constellation and expands its Space Domain Awareness services.
About Inovor Technologies
Inovor Technologies is an Australian satellite manufacturer and space mission solutions provider headquartered in Adelaide, South Australia. The company provides end-to-end satellite mission capabilities spanning spacecraft design, manufacturing, integration and testing, mission operations and launch support. Inovor develops satellite platforms and associated hardware and software technologies for commercial, civil and defence customers, with a focus on delivering sovereign Australian space capability.
For further information please contact:
Kavindi De Silva
Public Relations & Corporate Affairs Officer
Ph: +61 (0) 480 561 944
Email: Kavindi.desilva@inovor.com
