A new trend has emerged among a group of climate tech founders who initially focused on space exploration but eventually realized that their technology could benefit Earth as well.
Two individuals, Halen Mattison and Luke Neise, who have backgrounds in companies like SpaceX and Vanderbilt Aerospace Design Laboratory, have founded a company called General Galactic. Originally, they intended to create reactors that could convert carbon dioxide into methane for Mars, but now they are using the technology to replace natural gas extracted from underground on Earth.
General Galactic has recently come out of stealth mode and has developed a pilot system capable of producing 2,000 liters of methane per day. The company’s CTO, Luke Neise, plans to increase this production as they replace off-the-shelf components with their own designs.
The CEO of General Galactic, Halen Mattison, believes that owning their supply chains and controlling all aspects of the production process will lead to more efficient engineering solutions. The company aims to assemble its reactors using mass production techniques, unlike traditional petrochemical and energy facilities.
Although General Galactic’s focus is on methane production, they are not looking to replace traditional heating and energy sources that are transitioning towards electrification. Instead, they plan to sell methane to companies for various uses such as in chemical or plastic manufacturing processes.
In addition to methane, General Galactic is also exploring other hydrocarbons for potential use in transportation, such as jet fuel. The company has recently secured $8 million in seed funding from investors like Harpoon Ventures and Refactor Capital, among others, to deploy their modules by 2025.
Competition in the green energy sector is fierce, with startups like Oxylus Energy, Aerleum, and SpiralWave working on producing green methanol. Methanol has advantages such as being a key building block for fuels and petrochemicals, as well as being a liquid at room temperature, unlike methane.
Although methane is a potent greenhouse gas, General Galactic aims to produce it using renewable electricity to reduce its carbon footprint. However, challenges such as leaky natural gas infrastructure must be addressed to ensure carbon neutrality.
Looking ahead, General Galactic sees potential in targeting industries like aviation and maritime shipping for liquid fuels, as these sectors are difficult to decarbonize using current technologies like batteries or hydrogen. This strategic pivot could present a significant opportunity for the company in the future.