Helicity Space raises $5 million to enable fusion drive and fast travel in space

 Helicity Space raises $5 million to enable fusion propulsion and fast travel in space

December 16, 2023

Helicity Space, a Pasadena, California-based startup, has raised $5 million in seed funding to advance the development of its revolutionary fusion propulsion technology.

Fusion drives, previously the realm of science fiction, are now a possibility for fast and efficient space travel. Helicity's main focus is using fusion drives to propel spacecraft. CEO Stephane Lintner emphasized that their concept is specifically tailored to be most effective in the space environment.

The funds will be used to produce a proof-of-concept fusion engine to demonstrate the underlying technology at a small scale. Longer term, Helicity hopes to have a complete prototype flying in space within about a decade.

"We are pleased to announce this round of funding, which will allow us to accelerate the development of fusion propulsion," said Lintner. "We believe fusion propulsion is the key to fast and efficient space travel, and we are committed to making this a reality."

The round was led by Peter Thiel’s Founders Fund, with participation from other investors including Khosla Ventures, Y Combinator and Liquid 2 Ventures.

"We are impressed by the Helicity team and their vision for fusion propulsion," said Keith Rabois, partner at Founders Fund. "We believe they have the potential to revolutionize space travel."

Fusion drives have the potential to revolutionize space travel by making it faster, cheaper and more sustainable. Currently, spacecraft are powered by chemical rockets, which are inefficient and cause a lot of pollution. Fusion drives, on the other hand, will be more efficient and emission-free.

If successful, Helicity's technology could enable new missions to distant planets and stars. It could also make space travel more accessible to the masses and open up the possibility of commercial space tourism.