Zenno Astronautics, a New Zealand startup developing superconducting magnetic actuators for spacecraft, is relocating to the United States and establishing its headquarters in Los Angeles. CEO Max Arshavsky cited the concentration of aerospace companies, venture capital, and talent in the region as the primary driver. The move comes after Zenno successfully demonstrated its Z01 Supertorquer aboard Impulse Space's Mira satellite in June, moving the technology toward commercial readiness. Arshavsky described it as the world's first and most capable magnetic stabilization system for satellites.
The company plans to open a Los Angeles facility by September or October to scale production and develop new products based on its superconducting platform. Some existing employees will relocate from Auckland while Zenno hires locally. Arshavsky acknowledged that Los Angeles carries higher operational costs than other U.S. cities but offers better access to customers, partners, investors, and engineering talent.
Zenno was founded in 2017 around the concept that high-temperature superconductors could enable space mobility and radiation shielding. The company raised 10.5 million New Zealand dollars in a 2022 seed round, with additional capital coming from Mitsubishi Electric's Innovation Fund in 2024. Arshavsky's long-term vision centers on reducing dependence on Earth-based resources by leveraging energy available in space.
Near term, Zenno's technology will primarily serve Earth orbit applications, but the company sees significant potential for lunar infrastructure and cislunar operations. The relocation underscores broader industry trends of space startups clustering in Southern California for access to established aerospace supply chains and government contracting opportunities.