Magma Space Inc.

Magma Space Inc. is a small, for-profit corporate entity based in Washington, D.C., specializing in advanced magnetic bearing and reaction wheel technologies for spacecraft and energy storage applications. Registered in SAM.gov since February 2020, the company focuses on developing innovative technologies that enable precise spacecraft pointing, stabilization, and energy storage solutions. Their core expertise lies in creating low-jitter, long-life magnetic bearing reaction wheels that can be applied to spacecraft systems and renewable energy technologies.

Through federal contract awards, Magma Space Inc. has primarily worked with the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) and NASA, receiving multiple Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) contracts. These contracts, all designated as total small business set-asides, have focused on developing magnetic bearing reaction wheels for spacecraft applications. The contract awards range from $74,994 to $1,794,889 and are structured as firm-fixed-price purchase orders and definitive contracts. The company's contract work emphasizes research and development of precision technologies that can enhance spacecraft performance, with a specific focus on creating reaction wheels that offer low-jitter and extended operational life for space missions.

Magma Space Inc. has received federal grant funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF) through its Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships program. Their $274,995 NSF grant, awarded in February 2023, supports the development of a semi-active magnetic bearing for flywheel energy storage systems. The grant focuses on creating high-speed flywheel energy storage solutions that can be used in both space and terrestrial applications, with potential implications for electric vehicle charging stations, hospital backup power units, and satellite systems. The grant work aims to demonstrate the feasibility of integrating magnetic bearing technology into carbon-fiber flywheels, investigating methods to increase bearing stiffness and accommodate high gyroscopic torques while addressing limitations of traditional lithium-ion battery technologies.