The Startup Pulsar Fusion is proposing a 2 Megawatt nuclear fusion orbital components for 2027. Pulsar has now proceeded to phase 3, the manufacture of the initial test unit. Static tests are to begin in 2025 followed by an In Orbit Demonstration (IOD) of the core technology components in 2027.

With Sunbird in Orbit: A spacecraft launches to LEO (~9.4 km/s), docks with a Sunbird, and then the Sunbird's fusion propulsion handles the rest. 3–5 km/s to Mars or 6–10 km/s to Jupiter. The initial launch vehicle only needs enough delta-V to reach orbit, not the full interplanetary trip.