A startup’s $70M rocket could turn the solar system into a shipping lane. Here’s what’s behind the bold plan.
A U.K.-based space propulsion startup has revealed an ambitious new vision for a nuclear fusion rocket that could significantly reduce the time it takes to reach Mars. In a recent video release, Pulsar Fusion introduced its Sunbird Migratory Transfer Vehicle, a next-gen spacecraft propelled by dual direct fusion drive (DDFD) engines.
A Rocket Modeled on Stellar Power
According to Pulsar Fusion, the Sunbird rocket is engineered to reach astonishing speeds of up to 329,000 miles per hour (over 529,000 kilometers per hour) — potentially making it the fastest self-powered object ever constructed. This dramatic increase in velocity is enabled by nuclear fusion, the same atomic reaction that fuels stars like our Sun. The company estimates its DDFD engines can generate exhaust velocities of approximately 310 miles per second (500 kilometers per second) — a significant leap over current chemical propulsion systems.
In a demonstration video, the Sunbird is seen undocking from an orbital station, using its eight thrusters to carefully maneuver toward a larger spacecraft resembling a SpaceX Starship upper stage, before firing up its engines en route to deep space destinations.
Targeting Fusion Capability in Orbit by 2027
Despite the promise, Pulsar Fusion concedes that critical work lies ahead. The company intends to test key components of its fusion power system later this year. A full in-orbit demonstration is slated for 2027, setting an ambitious timeline to achieve sustained nuclear fusion in space. If achieved, this would represent a major breakthrough in both aerospace propulsion and energy innovation.
CEO Richard Dinan explained in an email to Gizmodo that the goal is to create a scalable system for long-distance space travel. By assigning fusion-powered Sunbirds to orbital logistics roles, the company hopes to transform how interplanetary cargo missions are carried out — potentially transporting everything from habitats and rovers to scientific instruments across the solar system.
A $70M Fusion Rocket Poised to Revolutionize Space Logistics
Each Sunbird is projected to cost about $70 million once it becomes commercially available, according to Dinan. However, the company maintains that the return on investment could be rapid. Clients might recover their initial costs within one to two years through uses such as orbital logistics, scientific exploration, or infrastructure deployment. Designed to carry payloads ranging from 2,200 to 4,400 pounds (1,000 to 2,000 kilograms), the Sunbird could prove indispensable to both governmental and private space endeavors.
The rocket’s applications could go far beyond Mars. As reported by Payload, Pulsar Fusion envisions its propulsion system powering missions to deliver telescopes into deep space, assist in asteroid mining, or deploy robotic probes throughout the solar system. With momentum building around Moon and Mars exploration, the company sees Sunbird as a potential cornerstone of the future space economy.
As Pulsar Fusion ramps up development, it joins a growing cohort of innovators betting on fusion propulsion to unlock swifter, more sustainable space travel. The ability to cut Mars travel time in half using reusable, orbital fusion rockets isn’t just a technological evolution — it’s a fundamental shift in how humanity may explore the cosmos.
