Developing Superconducting Magnets for Breakthrough Spacecraft Propulsion Systems: An Interview with Ben Mallett

An interview with Dr. Ben Mallett — a senior scientist at the Paihau-Robinson Research Institute and co-founder of JxB Space Systems, a bold new space startup positioning New Zealand at the forefront of next-generation spacecraft propulsion.Ben has been instrumental in developing superconducting magnet systems now operating aboard the International Space Station as part of the recently launched Heki mission. He led the creation of a superconducting flux pump. — a device that energizes spacecraft magnets using drastically less power than traditional systems. This is a milestone not just for New Zealand space tech, but for global efforts toward sustainable space propulsion.Ben holds a Bachelors and Doctoral degrees in Physics from the the Macdiarmid Institute and Victoria University of Wellington.Beyond the lab, he was selected into a global space accelerator program in 2023, where he helped shape the commercial vision for JxB while continuing to break technical ground. Ben just won the 2025 KiwiNet Research Commercialisation - Breakthrough Innovation Award  this month. Hosts:  SpaceBase Founder Emeline Paat-DahlstromResourcesPaihau-Robinson Research InstituteHeki Mission - a technology demonstration mission to the International Space Station (ISS) that launched in September 2025.CHIASMA - connecting university students to STEM industriesSupport the show