Sam Austin joins the Breakthrough Energy Fellows program as the CTO and co-founder of Hyperion Transport Systems in Cambridge, Massachusetts. At Hyperion, Sam leads development of the company’s novel plasma propulsion technology through innovations derived from his graduate research in plasma physics and numerical simulation. In addition to his role at the company, he is an experienced member of the aerospace industry, having held roles at SpaceX, Northrop Grumman, and Impulse Space.

Propulsion is the ultimate mission enabler in space – dictating spacecraft architecture, payload capacity, mission lifetime, and maneuverability. Conventional propulsion systems have high fuel efficiency and low thrust density, or vice versa. Hyperion Transport Systems employs materials advances from fusion technologies to develop a power scalable electric propulsion system that has higher fuel efficiency and thrust density. The Fellows program will enable the team to test the extent of the impact of their core innovation on the propulsion system performance.

Originally from Michigan, Sam holds a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science in Aerospace Engineering, both from MIT. Outside of work, he enjoys running and playing the guitar.