ESA: Graphene Aerogels Accelerate in 30 Milliseconds in Microgravity
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European Space Agency scientists have demonstrated that ultralight graphene aerogels can be propelled by light in microgravity, potentially changing space travel. An experiment aboard ESA’s 86th parabolic flight campaign in May 2025 revealed that laser-driven graphene samples accelerated quickly, achieving noticeable movement in just 30 milliseconds. Researchers from the Université Libre de Bruxelles and Khalifa University observed this effect within a vacuum chamber, finding that the material barely moved under Earth’s gravity but exhibited significant propulsion in simulated space conditions. “The reaction was fast and furious,” explains Marco Braibanti, ESA’s project scientist for the experiment, suggesting a future where spacecraft rely on light instead of traditional fuel.
Microgravity Amplifies Laser Propulsion of Graphene Aerogels A pulse of light can propel ultralight graphene aerogels with surprising efficiency in the absence of gravity, according to recent experiments conducted by an international research team and the European Space Agency. Under Earth’s gravity, the aerogels exhibited minimal movement, but the effect in microgravity was markedly different, with samples accelerating rapidly upon laser exposure. “The reaction was fast and furious,” adds Braibanti. The research, published in Advanced Science, highlights how microgravity unlocks the potential of light propulsion for these materials, improving velocity, thrust, and achievable distance. The laser pulse triggers a sharp acceleration peak, after which the aerogels slow down. Graphene aerogels, notable for their exceptional electrical conductivity and structural integrity despite low density, represent a potential shift in spacecraft propulsion technology. These findings suggest that future space missions could utilize light-driven propulsion systems based on graphene aerogels, reducing reliance on conventional fuels and freeing up valuable payload capacity. Ugo Lafont, ESA’s materials physics and chemistry engineer, believes this work is developing a propellant-free future, stating, “We are opening the path to a propellant-free propulsion future. Ultralight graphene aerogels are a prime example of an innovative material created in the lab that could save us large amounts of fuel and hardware in space.” Université Libre de Bruxelles Study Details Laser-Tuned Acceleration Researchers at the Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB) in Belgium, collaborating with Khalifa University in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), recently detailed a study demonstrating precise control over the acceleration of graphene aerogels using laser light, a development with significant implications for future space propulsion systems. Inside a vacuum chamber, a continuous laser was directed at three small cubes constructed from graphene aerogel, with a high-speed camera meticulously recording the resulting movement through glass tubes.
The team observed a striking reaction during the zero-gravity phases of the flight; the graphene samples exhibited immediate and substantial forward motion, a phenomenon previously limited by Earth’s gravitational pull where the aerogels showed minimal displacement. “The reaction was fast and furious.” Further analysis revealed a direct correlation between laser intensity and acceleration, allowing for tunable propulsion; the stronger the laser, the greater the acceleration. These findings, published in Advanced Science, suggest that graphene aerogels could form the basis of propellant-free propulsion systems for future space missions, potentially improving solar sail technology and attitude control for small satellites. We are opening the path to a propellant-free propulsion future. Ultralight graphene aerogels are the perfect example of an innovative material created in the lab that could save us large amounts of fuel and hardware in space, Ugo Lafont, ESA’s materials’ physics and chemistry engineer Source: https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Human_and_Robotic_Exploration/Graphene_and_lasers_for_space_propulsion Tags: Dr. Donovan Dr. Donovan is a futurist and technology writer covering the quantum revolution. Where classical computers manipulate bits that are either on or off, quantum machines exploit superposition and entanglement to process information in ways that classical physics cannot. Dr. Donovan tracks the full quantum landscape: fault-tolerant computing, photonic and superconducting architectures, post-quantum cryptography, and the geopolitical race between nations and corporations to achieve quantum advantage. The decisions being made now, in research labs and government offices around the world, will determine who controls the most powerful computers ever built. Latest Posts by Dr. Donovan: Artemis II Astronauts Fly Farther Than Any Before April 8, 2026 UConn & QuantumCT Drive Quantum Tech Across Connecticut Economy April 8, 2026 IonQ Details Trapped Ion Computers: 59-Minute Deep Dive April 8, 2026