Auriga Space charges up the launch game
Getting anything into space is expensive, and current technology isn’t the most efficient. Space is now a waiting game. Companies spend a lot of time developing technologies, for launches to have backlogs of over two years. Whilst the spacetech sector is growing, developing, and attracting a lot of capital, innovation can be halted due to these hefty wait times.
“Rockets are fundamentally inefficient: only a small percentage of their total mass actually makes it into space. They’re one of the least efficient modes of transportation,” commented Winnie Lai, Founder and CEO, Auriga Space. “Most of the energy is spent lifting the fuel needed to lift even more fuel, all of which is burned in a matter of minutes. For now, rockets are the only proven way to reach orbit, but our goal at Auriga is to change that.”
Auriga Space is on a mission to build a reusable electricity-powered accelerator that provides a rocket’s initial boost, that will replace the first stage of a traditional rocket.
“By replacing part of the rocket with a ground-based, electrically-powered system, we can make launches far more efficient, reusable, and ultimately more accessible,” Lai explained.
In creating these electricity-powered accelerators, the impact that Auriga can have on the industry is massive. “We’re able to provide lower-cost and on-demand space launches. This will enable us to launch satellites and payloads for commercial and national security applications, such as telecommunications, weather forecasting, and satellite navigation.”
Lai’s background sits between engineering and business. After studying engineering physics at university, she ventured into working at hardware and software focused startups. This experience has built Lai’s skillset and perspective, and has led to the founding of Auriga.
Inspiration and the current state of spacetech
Founding a spacetech startup is a big feat, but one Lai was well-equipped to take on. “I’ve always been passionate about space, which led me to study engineering at university. Having worked at a space startup, I saw firsthand the challenges of getting payloads into orbit.”
Experiencing the spacetech market first-hand, Lai saw the inefficiencies that were plaguing the industry. “The high cost and limited access are holding back the widespread adoption of space-based technologies that could make a real difference here on Earth, and we want to change that.”
Space technology has the potential to change life on Earth, however, current inefficiencies are holding back the pace of innovation. Auriga aims to overhaul the industry, becoming a competitor, but not completely replacing current systems.
Lai discussed the market, and the almost lack of competition between Auriga and traditional launch methods: “There’s such a bottleneck in space launch right now that there’s room for both rockets and Auriga, so I wouldn’t consider traditional rockets as direct competitors. Our approach is fundamentally different.
“Rockets will always have their place, especially for launching very large payloads and humans, or for missions to the Moon and beyond. For other instances, our system can provide a faster, more cost-effective alternative.”
Auriga Space and the technology
“Auriga’s mission is to make space access faster, more affordable, and more sustainable, unlocking new possibilities for space-based technologies that benefit life on Earth,” Winnie said.
With delays present in the current technology, Auriga’s system has the opportunity to completely overhaul the process, and create a more efficient route to the stars.
In Lai’s own words: “Auriga’s system uses technology similar to Japan’s maglev trains.
“It has a stationary launcher and a moving carrier. When we energise copper coils in the stationary section with electricity, they generate magnetic fields that push and pull on the carrier, propelling it forward at high speed.”
In comparison, a traditional rocket has multiple stages, with each one being discarded once its fuel is used up. The first stage in this process is the largest, and the most expensive.
“Our electric launcher replaces that first stage by providing the rocket’s initial velocity from the ground. This allows us to use a much smaller rocket, reducing the cost and complexity.”
Like many spacetech companies, Auriga is taking small steps to make big leaps. The startup is taking an incremental approach to development, starting with a smaller version of its accelerator, with the aim of scaling this up over time.
Lai discussed this approach: “Our initial focus is using the electric accelerator for high-speed testing, which we’ve already found strong demand for. By commercialising our technology for testing campaigns, we can generate meaningful revenue while continuing to advance our space launch capabilities.”
According to Auriga, its development will take a three-stage approach:
- Prometheus: lab-scale ballistic and recoverable hypersonic testing of subsystems
- Thor: outdoor full-scale hypersonic testing at relevant flight conditions
- Zeus: the final stage, providing on-demand and daily dedicated launches to orbit
Challenges and highlights
As any entrepreneur knows, the life of a founder comes with challenges.
Discussing some of the challenges that Auriga has faced on the journey, Lai said: “Like any deeptech startup, we’ve faced the challenge of balancing ambitious R&D with the realities of funding and timelines. Building innovative hardware requires significant resources, so we’ve had to be creative, such as finding early commercial applications for our technology, building strategic partnerships, and securing support from investors who share our vision.”
Spacetech is a notoriously capital-intensive industry; the high upfront costs of R&D and manufacturing, as well as long development cycles, can drain a startup’s resources quickly. However, this is something Lai and her team at Auriga have managed to balance by being nimble and ensuring Auriga is backed by the right people.
Leaning into the highlights of the journey, Lai reflected that “seeing Auriga progress from a concept on paper to building several operational electromagnetic accelerators has been incredibly rewarding.”
And it’s not just the development of the technology that she names as a highlight. “Equally rewarding has been assembling a talented, hardworking team that perseveres through challenges and who are passionate about changing how we access space. We’re fortunate to have strong partners, investors, and advisors who share our mission and help push it forward.”
The learnings of a founder
Whilst she had worked at a spacetech startup before, the learnings that you take away from founding a business are completely different to working at one.
She explained one of the key lessons is to “stay focused on the big picture, but be flexible and ready to adapt as situations change. Perseverance is critical. Setbacks will happen, and it’s much easier to push through them when you stay anchored to the company’s mission.”
Her other key takeaway has been surrounding herself with people who believe in the vision and come on the journey with you. “Above all, building the right team is everything. The technology matters, but it’s the people behind it who make it possible.”
Up, up, and away
Looking to the near-future of the company, Lai laid out the current roadmap for Auriga and its technology.
“In the near term, we’re focused on commercialising our technology for hypersonic testing while continuing to advance our space launch capabilities. Over the next 12-18 months, we’ll be working closely with our partners to deliver systems that address real pain points and provide tangible value.”
Most importantly is the impact that Auriga will have on the entire industry: “Each step will bring us closer to our ultimate goal of transforming how we access space.”
This article originally appeared in the September/October 2025 issue of Startups Magazine. Click here to subscribe
