Balerion Principal Aidan Daoussis sits down with Max Arshavsky, Founder & CEO of Zenno Astronautics, to discuss superconducting space infrastructure. Zeeno is developing superconducting electromagnetic systems for spacecraft, beginning with high-powered magnetic attitude control and expanding toward docking, formation flight, mass drivers, radiation shielding, and other space-native infrastructure.
00:00 – Introduction and Zeeno’s vision for electromagnetic infrastructure in space02:14 – Arshavsky’s background, New Zealand origins, and the founding of Zenno05:16 – Supertorque and superconducting magnetic attitude control08:12 – Controllable electromagnets and fuel-free spacecraft operations11:08 – In-space testing, flight heritage, and commercial validation12:25 – Initial markets in MEO and replacing conventional attitude-control systems15:30 – Mass, reliability, power, and economic advantages of superconducting systems16:52 – Patents, technical know-how, and barriers to replication18:07 – Electromagnetic launch, mass drivers, and moving cargo beyond Earth21:18 – Superconductivity fundamentals and the room-temperature superconductor discussion24:30 – From spacecraft components to superconducting-native space infrastructure27:25 – MPD thrusters and superconducting electromagnetic propulsion28:55 – Building a commercial business around a new technology platform31:47 – LEO, VLEO, plasma interaction, and potential hypersonic applications35:02 – Terrestrial applications including fusion and power transmission37:20 – Long-lived orbital infrastructure and the evolution beyond disposable spacecraft40:15 – Innovation, technology development, and Zenno’s broader roadmap43:46 – Balancing long-term technical ambition with commercial fundamentals44:42 – Zenno’s U.S. expansion and upcoming Almighty Magnet mission46:31 – Closing thoughts on humanity’s expansion beyond Earth and electromagnetic infrastructure
