Technology Innovations

High Temperature Superconducting (HTS) electromagnet technology has precedent in terrestrial applications such as plasma confinement in nuclear fusion reactors, but is new to the space industry.

The use of superconducting electromagnets in space overcomes barriers to the scale-up of established technology products, such as electric propulsion, and unlocks new product applications with no precedent.

NAICKER SCIENTIFIC has developed core intellectual property related to the thermal management of the HTS electromagnet.

Spun out as a separate start-up company in 2022.

With humankind returning to the Moon later this decade, purifying the water that exists on the Moon in ice is critical to enabling more ambitious space missions. Using lunar water – as drinking water, to grow food, to create oxygen and to split into hydrogen and oxygen for rocket fuel – is a key enabler for supporting future deep space exploration. 

Purifying water in the Moon’s harsh environment – at low temperature, at low pressure, at reduced gravity, using minimal power, and without easy human access – is challenging.

NAICKER SCIENTIFIC is developing a chemical processing system to clean contaminated water ice trapped in lunar regolith to potable water standards.

As well as having applications for exploration of the Moon and beyond, the technology will have wide application here on Earth – wherever lightweight, robust, low-power water purification is needed.