Omnivore thruster
A rocket thruster that uses mirrors to focus sunlight and heat its propellant, instead of burning fuel. TransAstra is building it to power its Worker Bee space tugs.
Why it matters
TransAstra says sunlight-heated propulsion lets a spacecraft carry heavier payloads than one using chemical thrusters, which matters for a tug whose job is hauling satellites.
How the technology works
Solar reflectors concentrate sunlight into heat that warms the propellant, which then expands out a nozzle to produce thrust. The energy comes from the Sun rather than from burning the propellant.
Sources
Updated Oct 22, 2026 · How we source facts · Suggest a correction