Small Satellite Conference 2019 Proceedings
January 1, 2017
Measurement Error Analysis of Impulsive Thrust from a Closed Radio-Frequency Cavity in Vacuum
Prime Lightworks
Renewable Electric Propulsion
Torrance, CA
Electronics
Engineering
Prime Lightworks is making a fully electric spacecraft propulsion system that does not need conventional mass propellant (fuel). We believe our system will provide a revolutionary step forward in space exploration and planetary science, eliminating the need for fuel propulsion systems using renewable solar energy.
$429,228
raised
905
Investors
$10.2M
Valuation
$2.06
Price per Share
$199.82
Min. Investment
Common
Shares Offered
Equity
Offering Type
$1.07M
Offering Max
Reg CF
Offering
Bonus Rewards
Get rewarded for investing more into Prime Lightworks
$199+
Investment
StartEngine Owner’s Bonus
This offering is eligible for the StartEngine Owner’s 10% Bonus program. For details on this program, please see the Offering Summary section below.
Reasons to Invest
$1.8M seed funding raised from Y Combinator and angel investors
Founder & CEO Kyle Flanagan named to Forbes 30 Under 30 Class of 2020 in Science
Patent pending with US and PCT for our proprietary electromagnetic thruster technology
Photo from NASA. Our product is currently still in prototype stage.
Investigating zero-fuel microwave space propulsion
"When I read that NASA was testing a microwave space propulsion system that would require no fuel, I founded Prime Lightworks to investigate and commercialize this breakthrough technology. We now have patent pending and a functional prototype in vacuum testing, and we are raising our next round of funding to continue our proof-of-concept prototype vacuum tests and launch our space demonstration mission."
Current propulsion systems lead to massive amounts of emissions, cost and waste!
Satellite technologies have numerous global applications: telecommunications, GPS, intelligence, and Earth imaging for weather and climate analysis. However, many current satellite propulsion systems use toxic fuel that costs up to $50K per kg to launch into orbit and creates waste in the form of space debris. We believe our product will solve the problem of space propulsion for satellites and spacecraft, using a solar-powered radio amplifier and microwave cavity to replace fuel-based propulsion systems.
Photo from NASA. Our product is currently still in prototype stage.
This technology could eliminate spacecraft fuel entirely
Prime Lightworks is developing renewable CubeSat electric propulsion systems which, if proven feasible, could increase spacecraft lifespan and reliability, eliminate spacecraft fuel emissions, and drastically reduce launch vehicle size and fuel emissions. Our RF-based propulsion system is patent-pending, and if we succeed in our prototype test campaign with thrust measurements in a vacuum, this could scale to support all satellite mission architectures.
Prime Lightworks solution could offer:
- 20-50% mass savings (compared to fuel propulsion)
- Fully renewable solar energy (instead of fuel)
- Eliminating the need for toxic fuel and waste
Satellite propulsion systems are a $1B per year industry
Our potential customers are satellite manufacturers who purchase high delta-velocity (delta-v) propulsion systems for mission integration
Hardware manufacturing of satellites is over $15B per year market
Global satellite industry is over $260B per year market
Satellite manufacturers are expected to purchase $630M of propulsion systems per year by 2024
We’ve raised $1.8M+ in seed funding from Y Combinator and our Angel Investors
We've filed our US and PCT patent applications for electromagnetic thrusters on February 8, 2019
We're operating 2,200 square foot facility in Torrance, CA + Greentown Labs prototyping space
- We’ve begun proof-of-concept vacuum testing our prototype CubeSat electric propulsion system
We could revolutionize the aerospace industry
We’re trying something new. Our electric propulsion systems would work by concentrating electromagnetic field strength and radiation pressure on the large end surface of our radio frequency (RF) cavity resonator. We need your support to continue our vacuum testing and produce thrust measurements proving feasibility of our fully renewable, zero fuel, spacecraft electric propulsion.
Prototype CubeSat Electric Propulsion System:
- RF Power Enclosure (6U, 50W, X-Band, 8-11GHz)
- RF Cavity Resonator (1U, 8.5GHz, -28dB S11, 7e4 Q-Factor)
Our ideal customers are satellite manufacturers purchasing high delta-v propulsion systems
We will offer direct contract sales of patent-pending RF resonant cavity propulsion systems and power electronics hardware. We need your investment to continue our proof-of-concept prototype vacuum tests. Our goal is to prove that space propulsion can be done using RF electronics hardware that is more renewable and cost-effective than chemical rockets or existing electric propulsion. Use of RF architecture for propulsion applications has enormous potential to support growth opportunities in RF telecommunications markets based on small satellite orbital constellations.
We could be the most renewable propulsion technology
While other space propulsion technologies consume fuel, ours uses renewable solar power. With zero fuel, we aim to provide a lighter and more reliable propulsion system that is less expensive to manufacture and launch, with renewable delta-velocity (delta-v) for unlimited orbital maneuvering.
Let’s eliminate fuel emissions from space propulsion
Prime Lightworks aims to reduce aerospace industry fuel emissions by eliminating satellite fuel mass and reducing launch vehicle fuel consumption.
We believe in a sustainable future where air and space transportation are fully renewable with zero carbon footprint.
Photo from NASA. Our product is currently still in prototype stage.
Two former SpaceX engineers make this moonshot, not such a longshot
Our Founder & CEO, Kyle Flanagan, has eons of experience from Harvard, CERN, Caltech/JPL, and SpaceX, having been entrenched in this world for years. He started engineering at SpaceX when RF designer, Peter Dohm, was moving beyond SpaceX to Millennium Space Systems. Along with other team members, their shared knowledge and experience is vast and their vision is uncompromising. This undertaking is the natural next step for them.
#forbes #30under30 #science
#renewable #solar #newspace
#primelightworks
Join us as we launch into the future of space
It’s our mission to eliminate wasteful and toxic fuel from the space industry, with renewable propulsion that enables interplanetary space exploration. We’re launching into a growing electric propulsion market with a product that could open up the cosmos while protecting our environment. Join us!
This data is publicly available pursuant to 15 C.F.R. §734.7(a)(4) and is therefore not subject to the U.S. Export Administration Regulations.
Photo from NASA. Our product is currently still in prototype stage.
In the Press
Cleantech Open West Announces Finalists
January 1, 2017
Emerging Technology: Prime Lightworks Inc. makes breakthrough electric propulsion systems for space satellites, with the goal to eliminate fuel emissions from aerospace propulsion, while drastically reducing cost and waste.
Offering Summary
Company | : | Prime Lightworks Inc. |
Corporate Address | : | 2909 Oregon Ct Ste C12, Torrance, CA 90503 |
Offering Minimum | : | $9,999.24 |
Offering Maximum | : | $1,069,999.02 |
Minimum Investment Amount(per investor) | : | $199.82 |
Terms
Offering Type | : | Equity |
Security Name | : | Common Stock |
Minimum Number of Shares Offered | : | 4,854 |
Maximum Number of Shares Offered | : | 519,417 |
Price per Share | : | $2.06 |
Pre-Money Valuation | : | $10,192,847.04 |
*Maximum Number of Shares Offered subject to adjustment for bonus shares. See Bonus info below.
Perks* and Investment Bonuses
Early Bird
First 48 hours - Friends and Family Early Birds | 10% bonus shares
Next 5 days - Early Bird Bonus | 5% bonus shares
Volume
$500+ (Tier 1 perk) | Stickers w/ Company Logo
$1,000 (Tier 2 perk) | T-Shirt w/ Company Logo
$2,500+ (Tier 3 perk) | USB Drive w/ Company Logo
$5,000+ (5% bonus shares) | Name Etched on Prototype
$20,000+ (10% bonus shares) | Visit to HQ in Torrance, CA
*All perks offcur after the offering is completed
The 10% Bonus for StartEngine Shareholders
Prime Lightworks Inc. will offer 10% additional bonus shares for all investments that are committed by investors that are eligible for the StartEngine Crowdfunding Inc. OWNer's bonus.
This means eligible StartEngine shareholders will receive a 10% bonus for any shares they purchase in this offering. For example, if you buy 100 shares of Common Stock at $2.06 per share, you will receive 110 Common Stock shares, meaning you'll own 110 shares for $206. Fractional shares will not be distributed and share bonuses will be determined by rounding down to the nearest whole share.
This 10% Bonus is only valid during the investors eligibility period. Investors eligible for this bonus will also have priority if they are on a waitlist to invest and the company surpasses its maximum funding goal. They will have the first opportunity to invest should room in the offering become available if prior investments are cancelled or fail.
Investors will only receive a single bonus, which will be the highest bonus rate they are eligible for.
Irregular Use of Proceeds
The Company might incur Irregular Use of Proceeds that may include but are not limited to the following over $10,000: Salary payments made to one’s self, a friend or relative. Any expense labeled “Travel and Entertainment”. Inter company debt or back payments. Any expense labeled “Administrative Expenses” not strictly for administrative purposes. Vendor payments.
Show More
Most recent fiscal year-end:
Prior fiscal year-end:
Total Assets
$223,297.00
USD
$365,149.00
USD
Cash And Cash Equivalents
$5,375.00
USD
$87,018.00
USD
Accounts Receivable
$0.00
USD
$0.00
USD
Short Term Debt
$68,662.00
USD
$28,267.00
USD
Long Term Debt
$1,838,549.00
USD
$1,513,549.00
USD
Revenues And Sales
$0.00
USD
$0.00
USD
Costs Of Goods Sold
$0.00
USD
$0.00
USD
Taxes Paid
$0.00
USD
$0.00
USD
Net Income
-$515,538.00
USD
-$590,786.00
USD
Risks
A crowdfunding investment involves risk. You should not invest any funds in this offering unless you can afford to lose your entire investment. In making an investment decision, investors must rely on their own examination of the issuer and the terms of the offering, including the merits and risks involved. These securities have not been recommended or approved by any federal or state securities commission or regulatory authority. Furthermore, these authorities have not passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this document. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission does not pass upon the merits of any securities offered or the terms of the offering, nor does it pass upon the accuracy or completeness of any offering document or literature. These securities are offered under an exemption from registration; however, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has not made an independent determination that these securities are exempt from registration.
Updates
Notice of Funds Disbursement
25 days ago[The following is an automated notice from the StartEngine team].
Hello!
As you might know, Prime Lightworks has exceeded its minimum funding goal. When a company reaches its minimum on StartEngine, it's about to begin withdrawing funds. If you invested in Prime Lightworks be on the lookout for an email that describes more about the disbursement process.
This campaign will continue to accept investments until its indicated closing date.
Thanks for funding the future.
-StartEngine
Notice of Material Change in Offering
about 1 month ago[The following is an automated notice from the StartEngine team].
Hello! Recently, a change was made to the Prime Lightworks offering. Here's an excerpt describing the specifics of the change:
Prime Lightworks is extending their campaign by 90 days.
When live offerings undergo changes like these on StartEngine, the SEC requires that certain investments be reconfirmed. If your investment requires reconfirmation, you will be contacted by StartEngine via email with further instructions.
Notice of Funds Disbursement
about 2 months ago[The following is an automated notice from the StartEngine team].
Hello!
As you might know, Prime Lightworks has exceeded its minimum funding goal. When a company reaches its minimum on StartEngine, it's about to begin withdrawing funds. If you invested in Prime Lightworks be on the lookout for an email that describes more about the disbursement process.
This campaign will continue to accept investments until its indicated closing date.
Thanks for funding the future.
-StartEngine
Prime Lightworks Celebrating Five Years Since Founding!
2 months agoDear Investors of Prime Lightworks,
Today marks five years since founding Prime Lightworks! In that time we have raised > $2M funding, in partnership with Y Combinator, Greentown Labs, Cleantech Open, Starburst Accelerator, and StartEngine. We wish a special thank you to everyone who has supported us and believed in us along the way. Hall of Fame NCAA Basketball Coach John Wooden said, “Good things take time, as they should.” Here’s to the next five years being better than the last, that we achieve our dreams, and most of all enjoy the journey developing renewable and clean aerospace propulsion systems.
Best regards,
Kyle Flanagan
Founder & CEO
Prime Lightworks
Prime Lightworks makes breakthrough electric propulsion systems for space satellites that are solar powered, fully renewable, and consume zero fuel. Our goal is to enable interplanetary space travel — while eliminating emissions, cost and waste from aerospace propulsion.
September 2020 $350K Update from Prime Lightworks
2 months agoDear Investors of Prime Lightworks,
Here are some exciting updates about our company progress this summer! With your support, Prime Lightworks has now raised over $350K from over 750 investors on StartEngine! We have extended our Regulation Crowdfunding campaign an additional 60 days as we disburse campaign funds that support continuing company operations, including domestic and international patent applications and purchasing new prototype electronics for rebuild and test this Q4 2020.
ROADMAP
Prime Lightworks now has patent applications pending in Canada, China, Europe, India, Japan, South Korea and the United States for our radio frequency (RF) resonant cavity thruster propulsion system! New electronics components we have ordered include compact RF signal generator and spectrum analyzer that we will incorporate into our prototype propulsion system. This addition will enable RF feedback loop for optimal resonance and transmission of electromagnetic energy into our microwave cavity resonator. We are planning 6-8 weeks (October and November) for our prototype electronics rebuild and will resume prototype thrust measurements in vacuum around December continuing into Q1 2021.
FINANCIALS
We have runway in the bank into October, and are planning an additional upcoming disbursement to support company operations well into Q4 2020. We have also signed up with StartEngine Promote Advance to increase our marketing efforts with the goal of completing our $1.07M Reg CF campaign.
PROTOTYPE DEVELOPMENT
We have already purchased and received all of the electronics components needed for rebuild and test of our prototype propulsion system. Initial low power bench-top S11 tests show substantially faster return loss (S11) measurements < 1 second (was > 15 seconds with our previous electronics). We are now integrating these new RF electronics components for operation at high power (> 50 Watt RF output) inside of our electronics enclosure (faraday cage with additional magnetic shielding). These components will power our RF cavity thruster in vacuum onboard our torsion pendulum thrust measurement system (with improved test measurement sensitivity < 1 micron and < 1 micronewton).
Stay tuned for more updates about our expanded prototype strategy and test results this Q4 2020!
Best regards,
Kyle Flanagan
Founder & CEO
Prime Lightworks
Prime Lightworks makes breakthrough electric propulsion systems for space satellites that are solar powered, fully renewable, and consume zero fuel. Our goal is to enable interplanetary space travel — while eliminating emissions, cost and waste from aerospace propulsion.
Notice of Funds Disbursement
3 months ago[The following is an automated notice from the StartEngine team].
Hello!
As you might know, Prime Lightworks has exceeded its minimum funding goal. When a company reaches its minimum on StartEngine, it's about to begin withdrawing funds. If you invested in Prime Lightworks be on the lookout for an email that describes more about the disbursement process.
This campaign will continue to accept investments until its indicated closing date.
Thanks for funding the future.
-StartEngine
Notice of Funds Disbursement
3 months ago[The following is an automated notice from the StartEngine team].
Hello!
As you might know, Prime Lightworks has exceeded its minimum funding goal. When a company reaches its minimum on StartEngine, it's about to begin withdrawing funds. If you invested in Prime Lightworks be on the lookout for an email that describes more about the disbursement process.
This campaign will continue to accept investments until its indicated closing date.
Thanks for funding the future.
-StartEngine
Notice of Material Change in Offering
3 months ago[The following is an automated notice from the StartEngine team].
Hello! Recently, a change was made to the Prime Lightworks offering. Here's an excerpt describing the specifics of the change:
Extended length of campaign.
When live offerings undergo changes like these on StartEngine, the SEC requires that certain investments be reconfirmed. If your investment requires reconfirmation, you will be contacted by StartEngine via email with further instructions.
Notice of Funds Disbursement
4 months ago[The following is an automated notice from the StartEngine team].
Hello!
As you might know, Prime Lightworks has exceeded its minimum funding goal. When a company reaches its minimum on StartEngine, it's about to begin withdrawing funds. If you invested in Prime Lightworks be on the lookout for an email that describes more about the disbursement process.
This campaign will continue to accept investments until its indicated closing date.
Thanks for funding the future.
-StartEngine
June 2020 $250K Update from Prime Lightworks
5 months agoDear Investors of Prime Lightworks,
I am happy to report that the company is continuing operations and making progress through these challenging times. With your support on StartEngine, Prime Lightworks has now raised over $250K from over 500 investors since launching our Regulation Crowdfunding campaign! This has allowed us to complete a round of preliminary prototype thrust measurements (test results are summarized below). I am also pleased to announce that Prime Lightworks has been accepted to Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator (LACI) two-year incubation program!
ROADMAP
The results from our recent test campaign indicate A) that our magnetic shielding enclosure around the prototype test electronics is substantially reducing the false positive thrust measurements from magnetic torque interference, and B) our best chance of producing substantial true positive thrust from electromagnetic propulsion is to replace the software defined radio (SDR) transceiver in our prototype test electronics with a radio frequency (RF) scalar network analyzer (SNA). The change will also require switching the operating system and computer card in our prototype test electronics. The rebuild will cost us approximately $10K in parts and will take us 2-3 months to complete this summer. Once we rebuild our prototype test electronics with the new components, we will resume prototype thrust measurements in vacuum in Q3-Q4 2020.
FINANCIALS
On Friday, June 12, the company filed our Form C-AR Annual Report with the SEC as required per Regulation Crowdfunding. Under the CARES Act, the company has secured grants through the following federal programs:
Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) - $2K (two full time employees)
Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) - $48K (two full time employees)
We have runway in the bank into August and will continue raising and disbursing funds through our StartEngine campaign to maintain our prototype test operations.
To consolidate our monthly expenses, we have moved out of our warehouse space in Torrance, CA, since our lease has expired, and we are moving into a much larger warehouse where we can sublease space in Vernon, CA. In addition to saving money on rent, this move will put us within five miles of LACI.
TEST RESULTS
Leading up to our recent prototype thrust measurements in vacuum, we were able to increase the thrust sensitivity of our torsion pendulum by over 10x to a thrust-to-displacement ratio of about 5 micronewtons per micron. We also achieved resonant frequency feedback response for the first time in vacuum using our prototype test electronics SDR transceiver, where we were able to measure the resonant frequency of the microwave cavity to within 1 MHz bandwidth. In tests, we measured about 0.2 micronewton of thrust corresponding to about 1 micron displacement of our torsion pendulum. However, reversing the direction of our microwave cavity did not change the direction of the thrust, meaning that the 0.2 micronewton thrust was false positive and due to magnetic torque interference. In order to maximize prototype thrust, we need to achieve resonance with a quality factor of over 1e5, which will require measurement of the microwave cavity resonant frequency to within 100 kHz. This will be possible by replacing our prototype electronics radio card with a microwave network analyzer, which we will complete in 2-3 months this summer. We will then resume prototype thrust measurements with improved resonant frequency feedback response.
To the extent it could help our business plan and fundraising, we are evaluating an expanded prototype strategy that may allow us to achieve prototype test results this year for a zero-emissions CubeSat launch vehicle. Our initial design would be to build a compressed hydrogen (H2) and compressed gas (air) model rocket engine, followed by a hydrogen model rocket launch as proof-of-concept.
Stay tuned for more updates and be sure to follow and share our posts on social media!
Best regards,
Kyle Flanagan
Founder & CEO
Prime Lightworks
Prime Lightworks makes breakthrough electric propulsion systems for space satellites that are solar powered, fully renewable, and consume zero fuel. Our goal is to enable interplanetary space travel — while eliminating emissions, cost and waste from aerospace propulsion.
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